It could be Sir Steven Redgrave School

GREAT Marlow School could soon become the Sir Steven Redgrave School if the sporting hero is given a knighthood.

Steve, who attended the school from 1973 to 1978, first learned to row under the guidance of an enthusiastic teacher there, Francis Smith.

Clive Ricks, current head of the school in Bobmore Lane, said it was very proud of its famous former pupil and could change its name to honour him.

Steve made world news after winning a fifth consecutive rowing gold medal in the Olympics on Saturday.

Mr Ricks said: 'We have a Sir William Borlase, so why not a Sir Steven Redgrave School? It's absolutely staggering for anybody to be able to maintain that level of fitness for about 24 years. I suppose a change of name for the school is not to be ruled out if a knighthood comes his way.'

The 38-year-old athlete, already an MBE, was born in Marlow Bottom and started rowing at the age of 13 years on the advice of Mr Smith.

Mr Smith told the Free Press he could not take the credit for Steve's Olympic success and added: 'In a way I'm not that surprised Steve has done so well. He soon found that rowing was something he was very good at. He always wanted to be the best.'

Other town officials have supported the suggestion, with members of Marlow Town Council, the Marlow Society and the Chamber of Trade all backing the idea.

Town councillor James Campbell (Lib Dem) said: 'What a wonderful idea. With Steve having suffered from dyslexia it would be great if it could be tied in with helping children at the school with special needs.'

In the meantime, Wycombe District Council is planning to give Steve a welcome-home party on October 21 with a town tour and celebration at Higginson Park in Marlow.

The coxless four crew received a telegram congratulating them from The Queen, with a special message for Steve

Shops in the town have also helped to celebrate Steve's achievement with Burgers in the High Street giving out gold chocolate medals.

Philippe Burger said: 'We are delighted with his victory and have saved three medals for when his children return.'

As Great Marlow is a foundation school, with similar autonomy to grant maintained schools, it would not need to seek permission from the education authority to change its name.

Meanwhile, one of Marlow's other great rowers, Katherine Grainger, has told the BFP she hopes her silver-medal achievement in Sydney will spur other athletes on to sporting success.

Katherine, a member of Marlow Rowing Club for four years, said: 'The good thing about it is that other people can see there's nothing amazing or particularly special about us. We're just normal people, all the other rowers know us as people, but doing what we've done makes it tangible for them.'

Read the full interview in next week's Free Press

See pages 2,3, letters page 8, sport page 78

It could be Sir Steven Redgrave School

GREAT Marlow School could soon become the Sir Steven Redgrave School if the sporting hero is given a knighthood.

Steve, who attended the school from 1973 to 1978, first learned to row under the guidance of an enthusiastic teacher there, Francis Smith.

Clive Ricks, current head of the school in Bobmore Lane, said it was very proud of its famous former pupil and could change its name to honour him.

Steve made world news after winning a fifth consecutive rowing gold medal in the Olympics on Saturday.

Mr Ricks said: 'We have a Sir William Borlase, so why not a Sir Steven Redgrave School? It's absolutely staggering for anybody to be able to maintain that level of fitness for about 24 years. I suppose a change of name for the school is not to be ruled out if a knighthood comes his way.'

The 38-year-old athlete, already an MBE, was born in Marlow Bottom and started rowing at the age of 13 years on the advice of Mr Smith.

Mr Smith told the Free Press he could not take the credit for Steve's Olympic success and added: 'In a way I'm not that surprised Steve has done so well. He soon found that rowing was something he was very good at. He always wanted to be the best.'

Other town officials have supported the suggestion, with members of Marlow Town Council, the Marlow Society and the Chamber of Trade all backing the idea.

Town councillor James Campbell (Lib Dem) said: 'What a wonderful idea. With Steve having suffered from dyslexia it would be great if it could be tied in with helping children at the school with special needs.'

In the meantime, Wycombe District Council is planning to give Steve a welcome-home party on October 21 with a town tour and celebration at Higginson Park in Marlow.

The coxless four crew received a telegram congratulating them from The Queen, with a special message for Steve

Shops in the town have also helped to celebrate Steve's achievement with Burgers in the High Street giving out gold chocolate medals.

Philippe Burger said: 'We are delighted with his victory and have saved three medals for when his children return.'

As Great Marlow is a foundation school, with similar autonomy to grant maintained schools, it would not need to seek permission from the education authority to change its name.

Meanwhile, one of Marlow's other great rowers, Katherine Grainger, has told the BFP she hopes her silver-medal achievement in Sydney will spur other athletes on to sporting success.

Katherine, a member of Marlow Rowing Club for four years, said: 'The good thing about it is that other people can see there's nothing amazing or particularly special about us. We're just normal people, all the other rowers know us as people, but doing what we've done makes it tangible for them.'

Read the full interview in next week's Free Press

See pages 2,3, letters page 8, sport page 78