The Princess Royal officially opens the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub

It was a very special day on Wednesday as we welcomed The Princess Royal to see how our new facility is changing the outlook of health and wellbeing in Podsmead.

During the visit, Her Royal Highness met some local members of the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub including Mike Bingham, who lives a five-minute walk away and has used the fitness gym almost every day since it opened at the end of April.

Mike said: “If someone had said I’d be in the gym at age 70 a few years ago I would have laughed, but I’ve been coming here every day and have lost three stone. It was a real honour to meet Princess Anne today and to represent Blackbridge members.”

The Princess Royal then met some of the local sports teams who use the 3G sports pitch for both training and matches, including Old Cryptians Girls Rugby Team and the Tuffley Rovers Walking Football Team, and in the Fitness Studio saw a yoga class in action, taught by local resident and yoga teacher Fiona Channon, who runs classes at the hub twice a week.

In the hub’s hireable social space Her Royal Highness heard about the community groups and activities that take place, and met some of the key funders who helped to make the Blackbridge Community and Sports hub a reality including Football Foundation, Gloucester City Council, Resonance and Sport England.

Hari Matharu, Head of Community Assets at Sport England said: “It was great to see how our £415,000 investment into Blackbridge, a brilliant community asset, is supporting local communities, like here in Gloucester, to be more active through sport and physical activity, so that it becomes a part of everyday life, helping to improve both physical, mental and social health.” 

Last but not least The Princess Royal spent some time with the Blackbridge CCBS Youth Work Team and some of the young people that attend the  regular youth clubs that run at the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub.

Karmarley, 16, talked to Her Royal Highness about the youth clubs, as well as his sporting ambitions. He said: “A princess doesn’t need to wear a crown to show her royalty.   It was nice to have her there, it was good to be honest.”

To commemorate the opening visit, The Princess Royal then unveiled a plaque and asked about the origin of the Blackbridge name – which comes from a black bridge just across from the location of the new facility.

Sue Cunningham, Chair of Blackbridge CCBS said: “It was the honour of Blackbridge CCBS and the Directors to welcome Her Royal Highness to officially open the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub, and we thank her for the visit.  We were able to showcase the partnership working of everyone who has made this wonderful venue possible, and which we hope will have a positive impact for the community for many years to come.”

Lee Thomas, Regional Manager for Freedom Leisure, said: “We were deeply honoured to welcome The Princess Royal to the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub. We are incredibly proud to manage this facility on behalf of the Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society, helping to bring their vision to life.

The Princess Royal’s visit highlighted the vibrant community already using the hub, from sports teams to fitness groups. We hope this fantastic event encourages even more local residents to visit and discover the wide range of activities on offer. We are committed to ensuring this hub serves as a central point for the community for many years to come.”