CHEPSTOW Boxing Club is back in action following its reopening at the weekend.

Monmouthshire MP David Davies and MS Laura Anne Jones joined local dignitaries for the celebratory ceremony.

The chairman of the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association Derek McAndrew cut the ribbon and declared the gym open, following work carried out during the lockdown,

Around 30 people including Chepstow’s Mayor Tom Kirton, deputy Mayor Dale Rooke, Dave Peacey from the club’s main sponsors Certus Construction as well as representatives from Monmouthshire Housing Association, Chepstow and Caldicot Lions, and Mark Roberts of Riverside Builders who carried out the work.

The club’s head coach Steve Woods was also presented with a cheque for £1,500 by Mr Peacey.

The event also included the unveiling of a mural depicting boxers in action created by Monmouth tattooist Fletch Lewis.

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“We had to limit the number of people who could be here for the ceremony,” Woods said later.

“But a lot of people dropped in throughout the day to see the new-look gym.

“Fletch came in late at night to paint the mural, often leaving early in the morning and we all love his work.”

He also paid tribute to the work done by Gillian Dunster who carried out much of the paperwork and grant applications.

Club members Kayd Dean (15) and younger brother Cai Dean (13) who are both Welsh champion boxers, gave a demonstration on the new punch bags.

“I’m really looking forward to getting the members back in the gym,” Woods added.

“We’ve been closed since March and although we have to limit how many can train at one time, it’s a start.

“We must stick to strict Covid guidelines which prevent us doing pad work or sparring but we’ll be open five nights a week with two separate sessions each night.

“We can have 11 in at a time each training in their own small 2m x 2m space

“The cheque from Certus was the icing on the cake because the money will go towards new head guards.”