Abbey Gym Club was originally a section of the Buryfield Sports and Social Club of Great Missenden and started teaching "fun" gymnastics to 45 children in May 1984 at Gt. Missenden Memorial Hall. Fund raising events were organised to purchase 10 floor mats, and a safety mat. Other equipment was a home made floor beam and a borrowed spring board and vaulting box.
In Autumn of 1984 we moved to The Church of England School, as we needed to provide more classes to accommodate the growing number of children on our waiting list, and in March of 1985 the Chiltern District Council gave us a grant towards the purchase of equipment.
We remained at Gt. Missenden School until July 1987. During our time there we broke away from the Buryfield Sports and Social Club and became the Abbey Gym Club on the 1st January 1986.
In those early days we also held rhythmic gymnastics classes at Prestwood Junior School and sessions for more advanced girls at the Misbourne School. Unfortunately both these classes had to cease due to a reduction in the number of coaches.
Our next venue was at Little Kingshill School, where we stayed until July 1989. Our equipment was stored in an unused kitchen until it was needed as a science lab which unfortunately meant we lost our storage space, so we had to uproot and move again.
Determined to carry on - next stop Prestwood Junior School where we were made very welcome and have remained ever since.
Currently we now have 220 children, run classes Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, with a squad section running on Friday evenings. Our equipment comprises Asymmetric bars, full size beam, floor beam, trampette, spring boards, vaulting table and horse, safety mats and floor matting, and for each session this to be taken out of, and packed away into, a storage alcove in the main hall.
The strengths of the club are its volunteers; the parents who form the committee, the senior gymnasts who give back to the club by coming in to help coach the younger children, and the parent helpers who assist when they can in class..