Famous Bristol sports club celebrates 50 years

Empire Sports Club celebrated its 50th anniversary at the weekend with a day of competitions, exhibitions and entertainment.

The club on Newfoundland Road in St Agnes was set up in the old basement of the St Agnes Working Men's Club in 1959 with home-made equipment, a few weights and a handful of members, some of whom still train there.

As the club expanded, its founder Den 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, who later became Darth Vader in Star Wars, ice-skating star Robin Cousins and many other top local sportsmen.

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

Competitions on Saturday included Olympic weightlifting by senior, junior and schoolboy members, the Empire strongest man contest and the Empire bodybuilding show.

The strongest man contest was won by Martin Larsen, 30, from Portishead, who provided the catering for the day.

There was also a recital by club member John Pearce, an international violin soloist.