The much-loved 2mm’s youth club which opened in Winton way back in 1970 will today celebrate 45 years of being open to youngsters in the local area.
Based in Alder Brook School on Walnut Road in Winton, the club was founded by pals Tony Peach, Don Cotteril and Geoff Grieves, now 83.
Between them they realised that local children had nowhere to go in the evenings and decided to rectify the situation.
Now young people in Winton and Eccles pay just £1 a week to get together with friends and enjoy pool, table tennis, computer games and numerous fun activities.
And those age 8-11 who enjoy it every week have clubbed together for a special Happy Birthday video in its honour.
Volunteer Hayley Buckley, who helps out at the club every week, told SalfordOnline.com: “Geoff has devoted his life to this youth club.
“He’s raised funds to keep us open by selling tombola tickts on the Eccles Markets and other community events in all weathers.
“When the club was 40 years old I nominated Geoff for a Pride of Britain Award, he made it through to the Regional Finals but sadly didn’t win. If anybody deserves an award it’s him.
“He is so modest and self-effacing about the good work that he does and is loved and admired by everybody in the Winton area.”
The family tradition continues with Geoff’s sons Jon and Chris who now run the club and take up fundraising activities.
Jon, who lives on Mather Road in Eccles, told SalfordOnline.com:
“I have been going to th club for many years.
“I am delighted to be a part of it and get involved in the community work, and I am so pleased that we have managed to reach the milestone of 45 years.
“We are entirely self-funding, depending on the kids subscriptions to keep us going, and we are proud of that.
“We know have leaders at the club who came as youngsters and now bring their children along, we are a part of the community and hopefully we’ll keep going for another 45 years.”
