Brunswick marks 60 years

Tuesday November 3, 2009

THE Fulham club launched by former prisoners of war has celebrated 60 years of striving to create a better future for young people.

The Brunswick Club in Haldane Road threw a party last week to show off the £500,000 newly refurbished facilities, as well as the remarkable range of activities that the club offers, from boxing to baking.

Tributes were paid to the club's founders, the British PoWs held in Oflag 79 near Brunsweig, northern Germany.

Some 3,000 soldiers were held at the camp, most of them British, many of them prisoners from the early days of the Second World War.

Today, the room on the top floor of the Brunswick brims over with trophies won by club youngsters for their sporting prowess.

They sit side-by-side with historical artefacts which reflect the cruelty and hardship the Fulham club's founders suffered at the hands of the Nazis.

Club manager Danny Volino told h&f news: "The Brunswick Club is still here. Sadly, its founders are not.

"But we have never forgotten our roots. The men who first opened the doors of the Brunswick in 1949 were heroes. And for the past 60 years we have tried to make them proud. All they wanted was to make this area of Fulham, which has seen its hard times as well, a better place.

"But while we remember the past, tonight is about the future. We want to ensure the club sees another generation of young people come through its doors. And at least another 60 years!"

Playing down reports that the night was actually Danny's 60th birthday party, the legendary club enforcer was on hand to hear David Bowler, chairman of the Fulham NDC, praise his leadership as well as report that the NDC had donated £454,551 to the club over the past few years to help the refurbishment effort.

"Our investment is a sign of confidence in the club," David said.

Other major investors include the Mercers' Charitable Foundation (£15,000), H&F Council (£10,000) and The Beatrice Laing Trust (£5,000).

But the club still needs another £50,000 to complete the works. Tours of the newly painted club were handled by members of the club's under 13 boys' football team who reflected Danny's trademark eye for discipline by donning ties and dress shirts for the big night.

One of the tour guides was Milkyas 'Milky' Abraham, 12, who lives in nearby Harwood Road. "I've been coming to the club for three years now," he said. "My mum thought it was a good idea."

Milky was keen to show off another part of the club's refurbishment, the new football pitch which now awaits the finishing touch - new floodlights.

Meanwhile, Phoebe Buret, 21, of Alderville Road, began attending the Brunswick at the age of eight before recently becoming a volunteer at the club.

She said: "The club is important as it offers kids something to do at night - especially for the older lads.

"Discipline is stressed by Danny, but we always have a lot of fun. There's a great atmosphere and once a parent sees it in action they're convinced."

For more details or to make a donation to the Brunswick Club, call 020 7385 4856 or visit: www.thebrunswickclub.org.uk