A SPORTS and social club, formerly for members only, has thrown its doors open to the whole community despite being faced with closure just two years ago.

Berkeley Nuclear Sports and Social Club, which was previously managed by Magnox Power Station, is now Hamfields Leisure and is being run by local representatives.

Berkeley mayor Val Watts said she thought it was a "brilliant facility" for the whole area.

"I think we are very lucky that some local people have been prepared to take this on, it has been a lot of hard work for them so I hope people take up the opportunity to enjoy the leisure and social club.

"It is an excellent facility, which I think will be used by people in the town and the wider area."

The sports and social club was faced with closure in 2006 but the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) did approach the club committee with a proposal that if they produced a viable business plan they would lease them the land and buildings. Since then members of the new Berkeley Community Sport and Leisure Trust have been working hard to put together a management team and finally agreed a 30-year lease that became active in April.

The Trust members now want to spread the word that the facility is open to everyone and an official open day will be held next weekend to show off new equipment and fitness classes.

Dan Brown, sports officer at Hamfields, said: "We are really pleased to be open to the whole community, not just members. We just want everyone to know about it because at the moment not many people are aware they can use the leisure facilities and they are also not sure what we offer.

"We have redecorated the place and we have lots of new equipment from table tennis tables, netball nets, golf nets, driving nets, we have indoor cricket and we also have lots of new classes to promote as well. It is an excellent facility for the town."

Hamfields Leisure has lots of outside facilities including football pitches, tennis courts, a cricket pitch and outside seating area. Inside there is a sports and entertainment hall where you can play snooker, pool, darts, badminton or table tennis, plus there is a stage and seating area, bar and lounge, smaller lounge, changing facilities and billiard room.

To find out what Hamfields Leisure has to offer drop in on their open day on Sunday, June 14, from 10am – 6pm. There will be demonstrations and taster sessions, plus you will be able to find out about up and coming activities including a summer play scheme, kids clubs and ballroom, line dancing and jive classes.

There will be refreshments available throughout the day with a special barbecue put on by the Berkeley Bakery with local Clayton House Meats.