The Bungay Community Centre

Earlier this year at the beginning of May, I was asked by Mr David Wuyts if I could tell him anthing to do with the history of the Bungay Community Centre. Looking through a 1944 Parish magazine I came across the following.

PARISH MAGAZINE OF THE SOUTH ELMHAM DEANERY MARCH 1944

BUNGAY EDITORIAL
Opening of the Anglo-American Club

The official opening of the YMCA at the Honeypot Meadow took place on the 1st March, the Town Reeve, R. J. Reynolds Esq. JP, taking the chair. Following the singing of the hymn 'O God Our Help in Ages Past' the Chairman made his opening remarks and introduced the speaker.

Mr R. S. Lowe, in an excellent speech and on behalf of the Regional Information Officer, presented the Club to the National Council of YMCA's. This was accepted on behal of the YMCA by Mr Z F Willis, CBE.,MA., General Secretary of the National Council. Lady Cramworth then formally opened the Club and expressed her appreciation that the Land Girls (of whom she is President) were to be allowed to share with Service Men in the amenities of the Club.

The Dedicatory and other appropriate prayers were said by Revd W.M. Lummis MC. RD. Responses on behalf of the UNited States and British Armies were given respectively by Major Floyd B. Mitchell USAAF and Col. H.H. Chandor, Sector Commander, Home Guard. The ceremony concluded with the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Save The King". Mrs R. E. Wightman accompanied at the piano.

There was a very large attendance in the hall. Tea was afterwards served to all present. The building is proving a great boon and is popular with all men of the Allied Forces. A large voluntary staff of workers has been enrolled by Mrs Parry-Crooke and they are kept very busy.                      W.M. L

At this point I cannot say how many years it wasused for the same but what I do know is that when it was closed the building was taken over and used for several years by the National Health and Social Secutity as offices

After the government department moved out, Mr Ron Duhy, Mr Roger Bale and several other helpers converted the building into the Bungay Community Centre.

The following photographs taken by my very good friend Mr S. Leahy show the building before and after the conversion.

August 1980 before conversion

May 1981 - notice the new car park

Although the old building has served the town well over the years plans are at present going ahead to replace it with a larger modern building to meet the needs of an ever increasing population.

Frank Honeywood
Town Recorder