Former Prime Minister Tony Blair had an action-packed day playing badminton and riding a Harley-Davidson when he opened Greswolde’s new £1.5 million Sports Hall at North East Worcestershire College in Redditch.
A group of VIP students who accompanied him on his tour invited him to test out the sports hall with a game of badminton. “He admitted tennis was more his game, but everyone was very impressed with his play,” reports Acting Principal Trisha Burton.
“The sports hall is going to be a fantastic resource for our students and we were delighted that Tony Blair was able to officially open it for us. The day was a really great experience for both staff and students, because we are celebrating this very exciting new development at the college. At last we have the kind of modern sporting facilities which our students need and deserve.”
During the visit the PM unveiled a plaque bearing his name and the date in the two storey hall, which is equipped with a fitness suite, changing facilities, lift and therapy rooms.
During his tour of the college, which has 2,000 full time and 19,000 part time students, he also stopped to pose on a Harley-Davidson motorbike in the college’s Motorcycle Maintenance Department. He was also filmed and interviewed throughout the visit by media students.
Greswolde Managing Director Malcolm Priest, who was present at the opening ceremony, adds: “We were delighted that Tony Blair was able to join with us in celebrating these eagerly awaited new facilities.”

 

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