A gymnastics school recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a reunion at Northwood FC.
In 1972, then Mayor of Hillingdon councillor John Beasley embarked on a mission to build sports facilities in the area. Two years later, he officially opened South Ruislip Leisure Centre.
He then met coaches Mike and Tania Swallow, and officially opened Hillingdon School of Gymnastics (HSG) in 1975.
Over the years, HSG welcomed the USSR Display Team to rehearse ahead of their displays at Wembley Arena, gave space for adagio act Norman and Sylvia Hibbert to train, and trained Michael Crawford and other actors for Barnum.
HSG also launched Big Top Stunts & Action to train stunt performers for the film industry, provide gymnasts as stunt doubles, and hire out gymnastics equipment for major films.
The school has supported almost 50 international gymnasts, as well as artistic gymnasts from across the UK and Europe, and was even nominated as a training centre for the London 2012 Olympics.
On Saturday, February 1, HSG invited 200 former gymnasts, coaches and families to a reunion, including 92-year-old Norman Hibbert who trained at HSG in the 70s and 80s.
During the evening, HSG received a message from Olympic champion Nadia Comăneci, who scored the first perfect 10 at the Montreal 1976 Olympics.
Speaking to NORTHWOOD&RUISLIPnews, a HSG spokesperson said: “It was an amazing and memorable event with around 200 former gymnasts and coaches from all disciplines, and their families, gathering for this reunion.
“The stoic spirit of the members of HSG has kept everyone in touch and the reunion to celebrate 50 years showed remarkable everlasting friendships.”
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