The Cardiff Central Boys Club was Founded by the late Alderman Sir James Robinson and other respected members of Cardiff in a large disused room over a shop on St. Mary Street with it’s entrance in the Wyndham Arcade. Membership flourished to such an extent that new premises were found above an old printing works at 55, Penarth Road. Part of these premises was used to provide temporary hostel accommodation for needy and destitute boys.
The Cardiff Central Boys Club staged a Venetian Carnival in 1932 at Roath park. There was a fancy dress contest and displays of boxing and Gymnastics.
In the evening, a procession of Jazz bands and fireworks ensued for all.
Alderman Meluish oversaw the festivities.
The late Marquess of Bute provided the club a site adjacent to the Empire Pool.
This land was opposite the Central Railway Station in an area called Temperance Town but found it impossible to develop.
1938 - Site was purchased on the corner of Bute Terrace (opposite the new St. Davids 2) and the late Duke of Kent laid the foundation stone. The War intervened and the building was requisitioned by the Ministry of Food.
1939 - The War intervened and the building was requisitioned by the Ministry of Food. The club had to move from 55, Penarth Road after the first air raid on Cardiff in January 1941 blitzed the premises. The Club continued in a basement below No. 10 Park Place.
Post war, the Club commenced to function again in the new Premises on Bute Terrace.
The Club held a fashion show in 1954 at James Howell and Co Ltd.
The models displayed the latest fashions by Berkertex and Norman Hartnell, designer to the late HM Queen Elizabeth II.
The proceeds of the fashion show were donated to CCYC.
The Club was taken over by the Cardiff Education Department and became the Cardiff Central Youth Club.
Girls were amitted within the Club for the first time.
Mr Trevor Underwood became the first warden of the Club in 1965.
The club was based in Bute terrace which is in the area John Lewis now.
The club continued to flourish and in 1969 we celebrated our Golden Jubilee.
Due to Local Government reorganisation the Club became part of the South Glamorgan county council's Youth Service.
Mrs Linda Owens became the first women to lead the Club.
The club continued to flourish and the trophy cabinet filled up over the decade!
In Febuary the Club on Bute Terrace was demolished and the staff and membership temporally moved down to Channel View Lesuire Centre in Grangetown.
In June the new Premises in Ocean Park was officially opened by His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, K.G.
Our club exists on this site to this day.
In December the club was leased to the committee and a charity has been set up to run the club.
This ensured the future of this great club.
In 2016, the club faced a new challenge, The future of the site at Ocean way was in doubt.
By 2019 a new board of trustees and committee worked together to save the club from closure.
Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, CCYC Gymnastics club has continued to provide high-quality gymnastics instruction to its members.
The club kept its members active with zoom gymnastics, social calls and support.
Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, CCYC Gymnastics club reopened in 2021.
Indoor sports were still restricted so the club got its thinking hat on! The equipment was brought out to the car park and this allowed gymnasts to come together to train again!
The brand new CCYC Gymnastics club website is now live! The website features a sleek new design, updated information about the club's programs and classes, and a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to find what you're looking for.
The CCYC Gymnastics club website is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the club or its programs.
The website is mobile-friendly, so you can access it from your phone or tablet.
The website is updated regularly with new content, so you can always find the latest information about the club.
If you wish to support the club thrive in the future, please see the fundraising page here
“I have created the new website for CCYC as I am a parent of a gymnast at the club.
The club has given my daughter so much over the years. ”