Mexborough and Swinton Times January 13, 1939

Wombwell Gymnasium

This picture gives point to the efforts of the Wombwell U. D. C. to obtain official sanction and support for their communal hut scheme it shows that there are in Wombwell sufficient young people pursuing physical fitness for its own sake to justify help and encouragement from the local authority.

In the picture are members of the Wombwell Gymnasium and a fine lot of fellows they are! Practically all their spare time is devoted to tuning up their muscles and keeping in trim. At present they are using a hut at the rear of the New Inn, Pearson Field, the rent of which they pay out of their own pockets, but they are hoping that someone will come along with an offer of a more suitable building. They have already written to the Wombwell U.D.C. asking if they can help.

The need for a building in which the young people of Wombwell can meet for physical fitness work is fully appreciated by the Council, and it is not unlikely that in the near future some tangible scheme well emerge. The question of a communal hall with financial assistance      from the area committee of the National Fitness movement has already been discussed and a sub-committee consisting of Messrs T. Bradley, C. Boocock T Wooley and Mrs. Mellor has been appointed to give the matter consideration. The sub-committee has also been authorised to visit and inspect a communal hall recently erected at Sheffield, It is thought that such a scheme ; might usefully be linked up in some way with the public baths.

The organisation to which these young athletes belong is entirely self-supporting. The movement started with five members and now they are becoming over-crowded. For a subscription of one ; shilling a week for the first three weeks and sixpence a week afterwards all the facilities of the gymnasium are open to the members.

Most of the members have specialised in weight-lifting but all forms of exercises such as boxing club-swinging and fencing are included in the routine. One member has put on 11 ¼   inches of  muscles in six weeks!

The club has been in operation since last May and even with such a modest subscription a balance of £3-4-0 has been accumulated.

Mr. K. Barnes of 24 Hoyland Street, Wombwell, is secretary.

In the group are (standing left to right) J. Bates, R. Bannister, H. Clarke, C. Jarratt (“Yorkshire’s best developed, man”),F. Bates and B. Moses: (seated), C. Goodwin, L. Green, K. Barnes, J. Utley and W. Count; (front), R. Allen and R. Skews.