Centre History

In 1947, the Gosport Community Association was started by a group of enthusiastic members at Privett Secondary School and continued  there for some 10 years. It's firm aim through the  years was "To have a centre which would reflect the cultural personality of the Borough" and which would provide acceptable surroundings in which members could spend their free time in a variety of pursuits and pleasures.

In 1957, Bury House, a Georgian Town House with extensive grounds and owned by the Hospital Management Board was acquired by the Association. The Association since that date has grown rapidly and currently is used by a diverse cross-section of the residents of Gosport and its surrounds for classes, clubs, and private hire. There are numerous Community Users as you would expect impacting on activities for early years, lifelong learning, crime reduction, healthy living and social inclusion.

The development of the centre from the early days has been much dependant on the services of Volunteers whose efforts and dedication have brought the Association from just a couple of rooms in a local school to a centre of which all Gosport and its surrounds can be justly proud.

Today

The control of the Community Centre is vested in the Management Committee who are the governing body of the Gosport Community Association and its Trading Subsidiary. The Committee is made up of officers, General Members, Representatives from Sub-Committees and the Gosport Borough Council Representative. They are elected at the Annual General Meeting and it is their function to determine the general policy of the Association and be responsible for all aspects of its operation.

The Chief Executive Officer - Lynn Croucher is repsonsible for the day to day running of the Community Association in accordance with the decisions of the Management Committee.

The GCA Social Club is also run by the Management Committee but under control of Lynn and the Bar Co-Ordinator - Sarah Walsh who is in charge of the 5 bars within the centre.

Entertainment in the Members Bar is run by a Sub-Committee which currently under the control of Tony Weaver who organises all the entertainment in the bar which is at the front of the building.

However, the Association has been very much dependant on the services of its Volunteers who put in many hours of work without reward but the satisfaction of knowing they are helping their Community Centre. Without this band of people, the Association would not be able to function as it does and for this we Thank them and hope this goes some way to conveying the high value that is placed on their efforts.

If anyone wishes to offer their services, they would be made most welcome. There are so many different areas to assist, Community Work, Promotional Events, Fundraising and Catering. If you are interested, then please contact the Centre Administration Office.