The Abbeydale Community Association started life in 1978 as the Heron Park Community Association with a dream of either building a community centre or aquiring a site on which one could be built on.  At this time the names Abbeydale and Abbeymead had not been thought of.  In those early days the Association benefited from the great energy and efforts of one of its founders Graham Marsh who was one of the early Chairman his boundless energy was a massive driving force behind the aquisition of our site and construction of the  original building.  Other stalwarts were in alpabetical order Tony Evans, Dave Johnson, Roger Lindsey, John Merrick, Mike Richardson, Mike Teesdale, and Graham Whiting to name but a few.

The members of the fledgling association used to raise funds by organising events, such as skittles evenings, which were held in pubs in nearby areas such as Matson.  Eventually the Association managed to aquire a site from the developers and the new centre was designed. On 27th May 1984 the great day had arrived and buiding commenced by the Bishop of Gloucester laying the Foundation stone.  The building grew and following year in April 1985 the early dreams came to fuition, the new building was officially opened, and the Abbeydale Community Centre was born.  At the same time the Social Club also opened its door for the first time.  The Chairman of the Social Club at this point in time was Graham Whiting who was behind the bar and the Social Club's first two customers were Norman Preece followed by Julian Dennis.