A YMCA Member’s Reminiscence
“I first experienced a YMCA warden when I left school and joined the Ministry of Defence as a Student Apprentice working on Radar in Malvern, Worcestershire in 1960. The students were housed in a Government Hostel run by a YMCA warden.
One hundred and fifty 18-23-year-old young men were very well controlled and educated in all domestic responsibilities of household chores. We also experienced all the extracurricular pleasures of soccer, rugby, athletics, snooker, darts, table tennis etc. which were highly organised by YMCA staff.
The soccer especially was a thriving activity as the YMCA warden was a Nottingham Forrest Scout! We entered all the local YMCA leagues, and some of us (me included) were selected for a match against a Welsh YMCA team in 1963 before it was cancelled due to a severe Winter. We were however given a token medal (see picture).
I returned to the North East in 1966 to work in the North Shields where I soon found myself joining the North Shields YMCA soccer team where I played for 2 years (see picture below). I obtained a job in Ashington in 1969 so left YMCA. However, I kept in touch with my teammates and began playing again for a couple more years.
In 1995 I encountered an old teammate in North Shields who encouraged me to come back and do some training at YMCA Gym (we used to train in the basement), and I’ve kept up the twice-a-week training ever since!
I’ve always lived in Holywell, but I’ve seen YMCA Gym’s facilities continuously improve where I feel they are now the best in the region! The mission statement is to be ‘Happy, Healthy and Connected’ and is indicative of the wonderful atmosphere promoted by the staff and members, not to mention the consideration and respect given to we Senior Citizens!
Here’s hoping to ‘Staying Alive’ for many more years to come.”
An 82-year-old eternally grateful YMCA Gym member.
New Outdoor Exercise Classes in North Shields
As of 29th March 2021, outdoor exercise is permitted as part of the Governments Road map out of lockdown. With this in mind, YMCA Gym has launched a number of fun and engaging outdoor classes in North Shields.
Workout to Help Out
During the pandemic we’ve all been advised to stay indoors and this has had a huge impact on our mental and physical health. With the support of the YMCA Gym team, we’re encouraging people to get involved with Workout to Help Out and get motivated again to help fight the risks of Covid-19.
GNR Virtual
Great North Run 2020 may have been cancelled, but if you’re still keen to grab your running gear and take on that 13.l mile dash… Great run have now made it possible to get involved and raise vital funds YMCA North Tyneside.
Age is just a Number
We have just celebrated one of our Group Exercise Instructors 80th Birthday! John has been a valued member of our Gym Team for over 15 years. He took over an already established Boxercise and Circuit class teaching every Tuesday and Thursday night and made it his own....
Now Delivering Roo-t Camp
Now Delivering Roo-t Camp Struggling to get to the gym? ROO-T CAMP could be the answer for anyone needing an extra incentive to join the January health kick. In a UK first, Deliveroo and YMCA have joined forces to launch a...
Fitness that Makes a Difference
As we enter 2019, for a few short weeks, many of us will make promises to ourselves to get fitter, eat healthier and live a cleaner life to improve our overall wellbeing. But as motivation runs dry, we soon slip back into old habits and our gym memberships become a...