Work begins to rebuild Darnhill and Heywood Boxing Club four years after club was destroyed by arson

Darnhill and Heywood Boxing Club have broken ground rebuilding their premises – on the site where the club began in the 1960s.

The club’s old building was a former scout hut, donated by Our Lady and St Paul’s Church, which was destroyed in an arson attack almost four years ago. It has since been cleared and filled in with concrete.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/95412/heywood-and-darnhill-amateur-boxing-club-destroyed-in-arson-attack

Darnhill and Heywood Boxing Club is now in the process of being rebuilt by volunteers on land adjacent to Argyle Street parade where the club was started in the early ‘60s.

After the committee reformed – Peter Mulligan, Stuart Hampson, Arthur Gardiner, Terry Leach, Richard Law and chairman Dale Gaucas – a series of fundraisers have taken place to establish funds to replace the club.

Having secured planning permission for the site, Mr Gaucas hopes the new premises on the Darnhill estate will be built in time for summer 2019.

He said: “It will be a community hub, not just for boxing. We’re looking at around £120,000 to rebuild it now we’ve got planning and we have around £49,000 so we’ve been able to commence the building works.

“We’re hoping to have it built for summer.”