By ANGELA KELLY THEY call it The TARDIS. And behind the unprepossessing doors on Deansgate which lead to Bolton's YMCA, there's enough activity to keep Dr Who and sundry companions going through several milennia. Actually, he's probably already been there in several previous incarnations because the YMCA has been serving the people of Bolton for 112 years! This town had its own Young Christian Men's Association premises in Nelson Square the same year as the movement was founded in London. In 1903, it moved to Wood Street and then to the old Salvation Army Citadel building in Great Moor Street before going to St Georges Road the following year.

It moved into its present home in 1919 after the citizens of Bolton raised the money to buy the building in just two weeks, as a thank you for the YMCA's service during the Great War.

The Bolton Boys Federation was founded from the YMCA in 1923, the same year as Princess Helena Victoria visited the establishment.

More royalty followed up its famous steep flight of stairs in 1937 when the Duke of Gloucester came to Bolton YMCA.

During the war years, over 41,000 servicemen used it as temporary hostel accommodation.

And over the years since the war, there have been numerous, equally fascinating changes reflected life outside.

In the 1960s, youth "drop-in" clubs established what is probably the modern pattern of service, and in 1978, membership was made available to females for the first time.

In 1983, the YMCA started vocational work with the unemployed, and the next year - just in time for its centenary - its own health studio was opened, Y-Fit.

Since then, it has launched day camps for school holidays, drop-in centres for young unemployed, and so many activities it's hard to know where to start.

The YMCA is open seven days a week, offering aerobic classes, Tae Kwon Do, chess, badminton, snooker, dancing, fencing, sequence dancing, Ju-Jitsu, Scalextric/slot car racing, football, and youth club sessions plus regular sessions in its modern Y-Fit Studio.

All this takes place in rooms that you discover once you leave the main staircase and wind your way along, up and through its four floors.

Activities are open to males and females, of all ages, with a small staff supplemented by a large number of volunteers.

This week it national YMCA Week, and Bolton's establishment is marking it with Taster Sessions, open to all, in various activities.

Tonight, there's aerobics, Tae Kwon Do, chess and dance school sessions.

Tomorrow evening, it's fencing and sequence dancing.

On Thursday, there's the Scalextric club and junior football for eight to 12 year-olds, drama for fun, and the Y-Fit will be open.

On Friday, there's the youth club and on Saturday, Tae Kwon Do. Find out more about times by ringing Bolton 522855.

"We try to put on something for everyone," explained the YMCA's Peter Firth. "But don't take my word for it - visit The TARDIS yourself!"

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