Thank you for your interest in this story
To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
10
Jul 2024
Olympic heroes visit Harrogate school
Olympic heroes Roger Black MBE and Beth Tweddle MBE paid a visit to Ashville College in Harrogate.
Roger Black MBE, who took silver in the 400m at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, was present at the school's senior school and sixth-form speech day. In front of an audience of 550, he gave a speech, and awarded young achievers for their contributions to school life over the year.
Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle MBE, who won bronze at the London 2012 games, did the same at the reception and prep school speech day. She handed out prizes, and encouraged the pupils (aged 5-11) to "follow their dreams and reach for the stars".
The school also held a fundraiser on its own version of 'Super Saturday' (June 29). The event saw guests from across the district come together in aid of Disability Action Yorkshire. 'Dinner for David', hosted by by the school's alumni organisation, the Ashvillian Society, included music and food as well as fundraising activities.
The original Super Saturday, on August 4, 2012, was when British athletes Jessica Ennis-Hill, Greg Rutherford and Mo Farah all won gold medals within 45 minutes of each other at the London Olympics.
Other recent activities at Ashville include the school's graduation ceremony for pupils bound for international study, sports day, a head's concert perfomed by student musicians, and the Boarders' Ball.
These events rounded off the academic year at Ashville before it begins a three-year development plan this summer.
Mrs Rhiannon Wilkinson, headteacher at Ashville, said:
For me, these occasions show how far Ashville has moved on in the last three years, something we should all be proud of.
The sense of belonging together as a community was palpable at these events and it was clear that everyone, whatever their age or connection, was delighted to be part of Ashville.
0