Fitness Centre – Open for Business and Pumping!

On Saturday 22nd January Old Bedfordians, Friends of Bedford School, staff and boys gathered for the official opening of the Lindsay-White Fitness Centre. This impressive new facility in the Recreation Centre is already receiving a lot of use from boys as they train for a particular sport, recover after an injury or are just keen to maximise the use of their free time and stay fit.

We were thrilled that Andrew Gomarsall MBE, Old Bedfordian (88-93) came back to the School to open the Fitness Centre. During his England rugby career he was capped 35 times and represented England in three World Cups, the highlight being in the winning squad in 2003. Andrew stressed how important his time at Bedford was in many different ways. The passion for sport and quality of coaching laid the foundations for the rest of his professional rugby career. Boys from the Prep School were very pleased that Andrew returning to the School also found time to join in a rugby training session and to give them some useful tips for improving their performance.

The Head Master thanked the project team and all those who had donated to the Bedford School Foundation and Trust through the Campaign for Sport. Without their generosity, this important development would not have been possible. In particular, he highlighted the significant legacy gift to the School by the late Gordon Lindsay-White. He was delighted that Alison and Paula, and other members of the Lindsay-White family could join the School on this special occasion. Gordon-Lindsay White remained fit and healthy throughout his life, and was a keen advocate of daily exercise. As a result the naming of the Lindsay-White Fitness Centre in his memory is a very appropriate way to mark his life and the exceptionally generous legacy gift to the School. It will certainly benefit many future generations.