A man whose South Bristol boxing gym was demolished to make way for new homes says it's 'nuts' that developers have now named the apartments after him.
Chris ‘Skemer’ Winters ran The Park boxing gym in Knowle West for years before the site was redeveloped. The boxing coach, whose son and grandson have followed in his footsteps into the ring, moved into a new hall and converted it into Skemer’s Gym at the bottom of the hill at nearby Wedmore Vale, and then watched as his old gym was demolished and new apartments built there.
The project was taken on by Bristol Together, a not-for-profit small-scale developer who specialises in small-scale developments that typically employ ex-prisoners to help them get back on their feet and learn a trade. Bristol Together began work on the project to build 12 apartments at Tavistock Road, and now it’s been completed, the final touch was a new name for the building.
Read next: How Knowle West's boxing dynasty is now in its third generation
And ‘Skemer’ was shocked and honoured to discover the new name on the sign was ‘Winters Apartments’. The city council asked Bristol Together to suggest some names for the new development, and they proposed Winters Apartments, in honour of Skemer and all the work he’s done over the years to help local youngsters.
Now, the sign is up, and Skemer admitted to being blown away by the gesture. “It’s nuts really, it’s out of this world. It’s unbelievable, really.
“There’s nothing else to say, I’m shocked. It’s a lovely gesture for all the work I’ve done over the years in the community and still keep doing it now, so the job’s a good ‘un, I say. At least my family name will live on forever, which is lovely really,” he added.
The 12 apartments are being handed over to a housing association to provide affordable homes for people in Knowle West.
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