There's a film starring Sean Connery, sporting a ponytail and time is running out. He's trying to retrieve a cure for cancer from a rare plant, while the surrounding rainforest is being decimated by chain saw wielding tree-killers.

A similar calamity is being perpetrated in Bristol. Politically correct (PC) bureaucrats are indiscriminately hacking away at the founding principles of a successful club for young men.

Admittedly it doesn't have a cure for cancer. But what exists at the former named Broad Plain Boys' Club is working, is rare and under threat. There are "rules" that state a club has to provide equal accessibility and facilities for both sexes.

In November 2008, Bristol City Council decided that the Easton club did not meet its equality standards. If it did not change its name and if it did not cater equally for girls as for boys, the council would withdraw funding for two paid staff at the club who work alongside the volunteers. The PC chain saw has already left its mark. In a compromise to maintain funds, the club has changed its name to Broad Plain Working With Young People.

So what's in a name?

What was called Broad Plain Boys' Club, with its motto of "service not self", has a history of producing proud respectful successful young men since the 1890s. It's a badge of honour for those associated with it. The name is part of the club's winning formula.

Two days are already designated to allow females to attend the club, and there are now plans to make these sessions more female friendly.

If the fairer sex were given equal access to all sessions at the club (not an unrealistic scenario in the present PC climate), it would have two major consequences. Firstly, some boys would be excluded due to their religious beliefs, contradictory to the club's multi-faith ethos. Secondly, boys being boys, it would be too much of a distraction for their hormone-addled brains to cope with (I speak from experience).

At present, the club remains predominately for young males wanting to box, with other sporting activities available. However, the club contributes far more to its young men than mere sports facilities.

The club squats between St Paul's and Easton, adjacent to the M32. This blue corrugated box of a building shouldn't look out of place among the industrial units and sheds. But the building doesn't quite fit. It's made conspicuous by the distinct lack of graffiti on any of its walls. An invisible accolade to the reverence it evokes.

The Riverside Youth Project, (also in the building) was set up to help contribute to the club's funding.

Dennis Stinchcombe MBE has been running the project for the last 35 years, with the help of other volunteers.

"Well we're doing something right," says Dennis, and to endorse this he reels off numerous examples of the boys' achievements, ranging from sports trophies, to endeavours in the armed forces.

Try to get Dennis to define the "something right" and he becomes a little hesitant, if not uncomfortable. It's not that he couldn't articulate a definition, he just doesn't want to. It would be an intrusion.

It's the hours of work outside the ring, between the boys, their peers and coaches, which is at the core of what makes the club special. It's about positive role models, mentorship, discipline, commitment, respect, camaraderie. It's about character building. It's not all about winning every round (although this helps). It's about stepping into the ring knowing you might not.

Brash and bruising the atmosphere of the club may be, but the environment is finely tuned to keep the attention of these lads focused so they can learn and absorb what's on offer.

It's kept its appeal to the young male youth for more than 100 years. If the club is not allowed to maintain its unique attraction, its members will simply stop coming and find somewhere else to hang out, such as on the streets.

How much is that going to cost the city in the future?

The facilities and the testosterone-spiced atmosphere reflect the male dominance at the club, however there's no sense of standing on someone's turf when you enter. Everyone is welcoming, courteous and friendly. Why in a society where there is a perceived threat of hooded hordes overrunning our streets, are the powers that be undermining an establishment that promotes the very opposite in its young men?

Bristol is a vibrant city, reflected in its culture and diversity. If a unique institution such as this Bristol club, is threatened with reduced funding due to legislation than how can that legislation be justified? This is a club that should be celebrated not castigated for its existence.

At the end of the aforementioned film, Sean Connery sets off deeper into the jungle knowing how to get hold of the cure. Dennis would not want to sport a ponytail, but he knows that what exists at the club is precious and he's not letting go of it.

He adds: "As well as teaching the lads to fight properly, we also teach the lads to stand up and fight for what they deem is right. We'll always fight to preserve the integrity of this club".