Bristol's Empire Sports Club will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of their launch at Newfoundland Road on Saturday, February 14 with a day of competitions, exhibitions and entertainment, starting at 10.30am.

When the old basement area of the St Agnes Working Men's club became available early in 1959, it was snapped up by Den Welch, a 32-year-old Royal Marine Commando and a keen sports enthusiast.

With home-made equipment and a few weights, he opened the club for a handful of members on February 14, 1959, some of whom still train regularly, including motor-cycling enthusiast Reg Hall.

As the club expanded, former weightlifter Welch rented the main hall of St Agnes church to include more equipment and to cope with the increase in membership, as boxing, athletics and ladies sections became established.

Among the members in the early days were Dave Prowse (later Darth Vader in Star Wars), ice-skating star Robin Cousins and many other top local sportsmen as the Empire became the most popular and affordable gym in the Bristol area.

The list is endless of leading sports men and women who have trained at the club, including world and commonwealth champions in weightlifting, power lifting and boxing.

More recently, players from Bristol Rugby club and Bristol City FC have been assisted with strength training programmes by qualified instructors at the club.

Den Welch received the MBE for his contributions to the local community and, although battling through ill health, he continued to run the club until he passed away in 1999.

The present owner Andy Sutor started Olympic weightlifting in 1972, having heard that world champion Precious McKenzie trained at the club.

Andy lived above the gym and began to invest in the business from 1979 onwards before taking over with the support of his wife Wendy.

The club now boasts some of the most modern equipment for cardio, circuit and fitness training.

Andy and Wendy have maintained the unique friendly atmosphere at the Empire club for members of all races, religions and age groups with Bert Potter a regular trainer until his death at the age of 96, two years ago.

Admission is free to the following programme of events at the Empire club on Saturday: 10.30am – Olympic weightlifting by senior, junior and schoolboy members; 4pm – Empire strongest man contest; 6pm – Empire bodybuilding show; 7pm – Recital by John Pearce, an international violin soloist who is also a club member; 8pm – Music from club member Steve Reeves supported by a keyboard player.