1988
Gemini Gym Club originated as the MYCON Gym Club, (Methodist Youth Club of Nailsea). The Youth Leader was Mr Ian Parkinson, who employed Jill Pope as an Assistant Coach in the pre-school gym (the after-school gym club did not then exist).
Jill then took on the running of the club when the original Club Coach resigned, training and obtaining qualifications with British Gymnastics. At this time the club ran 3 sessions of pre-school gymnastics on each of the two days a week that the shared Church hall was available.
1999
Carolyn Hairsine (now Devereux) was employed to run an After School section of the club, later joined by her twin sister Sarah Houston.
2007
Sarah, Jill and Carolyn decided that they needed larger premises to enable them to expand their already growing club and began looking around the area of Nailsea for suitable premises. Unfortunately they were unsuccessful.
At this time the Methodist Youth Club of Nailsea ceased to exist and it was then that it was decided to change the name of the club. As Sarah and Carolyn are twins the name Gemini Gym Club was the obvious choice. Gemini Gym Club came into existence with Carolyn, Jill and Sarah as directors. Once again we looked for premises and found the unit that was to become our home.
2009
Gemini's Grand Opening was fortunate enough to have World, European and Commonwealth Gymnastic Champion Beth Tweddle attend. Beth held master classes for existing members and performed the opening after lunch with the Chairman of the Town Council, representatives of various organisations that have provided financial support, coaches, gymnasts and parents.
2014
Gemini Gymnastics Club continues to grow from strength to strength and plans were drawn to expand into the old Goulds Autoplates premises.
Volunteers included the club's directors, friends and family as well as 25 parents of club members, helping to empty the buildings for the expansion. The work was carried out thanks to a £103,000 grant from Sport England and has seen the building transformed, now boasting a huge new range of equipment.
Triple world champion Beth Tweddle officially opened Gemini Gym's expanded facilities.
"This facility is not just important to the children but also the wider community. To go from what they had five years ago to this is brilliant. They did have to remind me how small it was last time I came here." Beth Tweddle
During her visit, she also passed on her knowledge during three workshops with the club's members.
"My passion is working with children and I love getting back down to that level. The kids here are so full of enthusiasm and I can tell they really want to be here. It gives gymnasts opportunities and they can try new stuff. There is no doubt this will help increase their ability. The gymnasts here are very lucky to have a team of coaches who share their enthusiasm." Beth Tweddle
