TENBURY has lost its boxing club and one of its great characters.

Paddy Brennan, the man behind the boxing club and a training centre for vulnerable young people, has sold up and is moving away.

Mr Brennan, set up the boxing club and gym at a pub in the town a decade ago, before moving to a purpose build centre at Bleathwood between Tenbury and Ludlow.

At its peak the boxing club and gym was attracting more than 100 young people a week.

For some of them it was a chance to get into the sport but for others a way of socialising and keeping fit in a safe environment.

Mr Brennan also organised and took boxers to tournaments in the local area and further afield including a regular fixture involving boxers from England and Ireland.

In doing so he also took the name of Tenbury to a wider audience bringing in many visitors.

As a man who built a successful business career in construction from a difficult start on the mean streets of Northern Ireland at the time of the troubles, Mr Brennan had a strong interest in helping people to rebuild their lives.

He built a conference and training centre in which young people who had been excluded from mainstream school were given practical training in skills like brick laying, carpentry, horticulture and hospitality.

His work was supported by the late Bill Longmore, the first West Mercia police and crime commissioner and led to Mr Brennan being presented with the Queen’s Award for voluntary service.

Mr Brennan also built a community lounge and bar and put glamping pods on the site to bring visitors to the area.

However, the coronavirus forced him to close down his activities. Then something unexpected happened.

“I was visited from someone representing a major holiday company who was interested in the site,” said Mr Brennan.

Planning approval was given last autumn and the site will become a holiday village with log cabins creating 20 direct jobs.

“It came out of the blue but will provide a boost to the local economy and in an area that badly needs some good news,” added Mr Brennan.

“And yes, I was made an offer that I could not refuse but it has not been an easy decision as I have invested so much emotionally and materially into Tenbury. But I will leave a legacy that will benefit the area.”

Mr Brennan is currently in Spain and does not know when he will be able to get back because of travel restrictions.

But he remains committed to his work with young people and plans to set up a new training facility in the future.

“I meet so many vulnerable young people who have been excluded and are so at risk of being exploited,” Mr Brennan added.

“They are great kids but for the grace of God go any of us as I know from experience.”