3 October 2024

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Who knew that we had a British gymnastics champion among us!  Susan made it to the Olympics in 1976 and 1980, and even appeared in the original series of the Gladiators since.

This signed photo was found in our archives earlier this month, following a visit from 1974's Head Boy.

After a posting the photo in our alumni Facebook group it seems many of our former pupils recall her for her unmatched talent in the gym. One former pupil said, "I was friends with her sister, Catherine. I can remember Susan trying to teach me asymmetric bars - which they had in their back garden in New Longton. It was a disaster. I was useless! Catherine was a good gymnast too, but Susan was amazing."

Another said, "She was the same year as I was, nobody could match her at PE etc, we didn't stand a chance."

Her PE teacher back then, Miss Slater (who later became Mrs Rhodes) is still a friend of the school, and through our contacts, we are hoping to track her down. It would be fantastic to get Susan into school to speak with some of our budding gym stars.  We may even have a bit of a reunion with her, Mrs Rhodes and the rest of the 1976 class.  Wouldn't that make a nice story!

Here she is in action, plus little bit of her bio >>  www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9hM0v7JPrk | www.gymnasticshistory.co.uk/susan-cheesebrough/

Tags: Alumni