Friends’ Olympic Memories relived (From Cotswold Journal)

Friends’ Olympic Memories relived

9:00am Monday 20th August 2012 in News

MORE than 60 years after watching their first London Olympics, two Vale friends relived the journey when they travelled to the capital to be a part of the 2012 Games.

Badsey resident Pat Goldstraw and former class-mate Bob Davis, of Pershore, attended the 1948 London Olympics as 16-year-old students.

Sixty-four years on they were lucky enough to secure tickets for this summer’s Games together and got tickets for the Olympic rowing at Eton Dorney.

The 80-year-old friends were taken to the venue by Mr Davis’s son on Saturday, August 4.

The day saw a medal haul for Team GB rowers, including local lad Alex Gregory getting a gold in the men’s coxless fours and Zac Purchase receiving a silver in the men’s lightweight double sculls.

Mr Goldstraw said: “It was for us a strenuous day including being soaked by a half-hour downpour of rain.

“We found the quality and organisation of the venue, the friendly and helpful volunteers quite superb.

“The crowds and GB gold medal rowing were inspirational.

“We shall never forget the experience.”