Olympic gymnast returns to former school in Penwortham

Susan Cheesebrough with pupils at Penwortham Priory. Pic: Andy Ford

An Olympic gymnast has returned to her former school in Penwortham for a day.

Susan Cheesebrough spent a day at Penwortham Priory Academy where she met up with her former classmates and watched a display put on by Priory’s current gymnasts.

Year 9 Millie Dearnley, who attends the City Of Preston Gymnastics Club, said: “It was inspiring. I want to be a gymnast so to talk to her and listen to her telling us to follow our dreams was encouraging.”

Susan was part of the class of 1976 when the Academy was called Penwortham Secondary Modern School. Her PE teacher, Kate Rhodes, then Miss Slater also joined the reunion.

Susan showing off her gymnastic skills. Pic: Andy Ford

Susan, who is now a yoga and pilates teacher and a lifestyle coach, said: “I have been blessed in my life. I had a talent and used it. I was British champion and I got to spend a month in the USSR when I was 15 and travel around America as part of a professional tour. I have been lucky.

“It was sheer determination that I got to the Montreal Olympics in 1976 and everyone helped me on that journey, including my teachers and school friends.

“This is my first time back since I left school and it’s lovely to come back. It’s nice to meet up with Miss Slater again, she helped me a lot. There was also the deputy head teacher Mrs Lucas who supported me. Everyone at school encouraged me and believed in me.”

The reunion at Penwortham Priory. Pic: Andy Ford

Susan competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics and the 1980 Summer Olympics.

Sue Brown (originally called Baines), who is a trustee at Priory, said: “I obviously come up to school a lot. I remember Susan and, in PE, she used to give demonstrations in gymnastics that we could never do!”

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