Roy Sharp left the organisation at its annual general meeting, held at Daventry Community Centre off Ashby Road, last Wednesday night.

Mr Sharp has been directly involved in the association for most of the 40 years since it opened.

His latest stint as president started in 2004 when he came back to the organisation after stepping back from it several years previously.

As Mr Sharp became president his son Tim took over the association’s chairmanship.

Mr Sharp said: “At that time the association was in a bit of a poor state, as was the centre itself.

“I went to a public meeting as a member of the public and I took on the presidency and Tim took up the chairman position.

“We decided to get it back in order and we made certain decisions to get more members and groups using the centre

“It’s been a long job to get it this far and a lot of credit has to go to the people and groups that stuck with the centre over that time.”

It was not the first time Mr Sharp had been president, holding that role and several other committee seats during his earlier involvement with the centre.

In his latest presidency the centre and association have grown, attracting in more groups and users.

Although he has stepped down as president Mr Sharp, who is also voluntary curator of Daventry Town Council Museum, will continue having an interest in the organisation.

Although the current community centre building looks set to be demolished as part of the town’s regeneration, it is now undergoing a refurbishment to try and build up a strong base in the community to carry it forward into its future incarnation.

Mr Sharp said: “I’m extremely proud of the community association and centre, which at the moment is beginning to look great once more.

“It’s a pity we couldn’t start on that work earlier, but at least it’s being done now.”

Denis Alcock, chairman of the association, took on the role of president from Mr Sharp at the meeting.