Olympic golden boy returns to visit his Yorkshire school

3rd October 2008

Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hodge returned to his former school yesterday to meet pupils and staff and open a £33,000 extension to its facilities.

The rower who won his medal in the coxless fours at the Beijing Olympic Games, took time out of his already hectic schedule to visit Belmont Grosvenor School at Swarcliffe Hall, near Harrogate.

At the school, which celebrates its centenary this year, he opened a new adventure trail, outdoor classroom and ampitheatre in the grounds - paid for by money raised by members of the parent teacher association.

Mr Hodge (29) who now lives in London, was a pupil at Grosvenor House School from 1987-1990 and has happy memories of Swarcliffe Hall. He said: "It really is just wonderful to be back. It is a great school. My mum used to drop me off every morning on her way into work in Leeds. I remember this huge imposing front door when I was a small boy - but now I'm back in front of it, it's just a normal front door," he laughed.

I certainly didn't excel in sport in those days - I think the only thing I won at school was the art award at the end of term."

After showing the pupils his Olympic medal, he added: "If there is a way that through winning my gold medal, I can inspire children to achieve, then that means so much to me - I am a happy man."

Headteacher Jane Merriman said: "We are all very proud of all our pupils, past and present, but Andrew's achievements are outstanding. He is such a wonderful inspiration to all our pupils at Belmont Grosvenor and everyone is very excited about meeting him and seeing his Olympic gold medal."

Former school headteacher, Geoffrey Raspin remembers Andrew as a quiet well-behaved student. He said: "I don't remember him being particularly sporty at school - to think he has become an Olympic rower with a gold medal is such an achievement and something of which we are all very proud."

After leaving prep school, Andrew went onto secondary school in Skipton and started rowing while studying for a BSc in environmental science at Staffordshire university and later at St Catherine's College, Oxford.