History Bridgwater YMCA

In 1878 Sergeant Major Hughman of the Scot’s Guards formed a committee and the local association was started in March of that year. The earliest meetings were held over Hoopers outfitting shop in the High Street, and a year later there was a move to Binford Place.

Having been established eight years, the site of the Globe Inn in Eastover was purchased and funds raised to build a memorial Hall on the site. This was opened in 1887 by Mr William Creese who was secretary of the original YMCA committee in 1884. George Williams the founder of the YMCA movement was also present on this day.

Bridgwater YMCA remained with its premises at Eastover until 1967 when the opportunity arose to build a much larger purpose built premises at Friarn Meadow. These were officially opened by the Duchess of Kent in 1968.