University honours success

Jul 18 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

OLYMPIC athletes and one of the region’s most celebrated chefs were among those who received honours from Liverpool John Moores University yesterday.

Great Britain’s most successful gymnast, Beth Tweddle, graduated with a sports science degree at a ceremony in the Anglican Cathedral, joined by Liverpool’s own Olympic swimmer Steve Parry who was given an honorary Fellowship.

Liverpool Daily Post columnist and chef Paul Heathcote, who owns restaurants in the city and provides catering for sporting venues, was also awarded an honorary Fellowship, recognising his contribution to the food industry.

Crowned World champion gymnast in 2006, Tweddle achieved an upper second class degree. Yesterday she said: “It was a really nice day, getting my family and friends all together.

“The last few years have been hard work but studying and training complement each other. When I was not studying I could not switch off from training. I need something else to concentrate on.

“It is a bit sad that my university life is over but I want to study for a physiotherapy degree in a year or two so it is not completely finished yet.

“It is back to solid training now, but I will be visiting some schools to promote sport to children and show how important it is.”

Olympic Bronze Medal winner Steve Parry, who received his honour in recognition of services to sport, said: “I was taken aback to be acknowledged in this way, it was really unexpected. It is humbling when you see the list of people who have received the honour before.

“I love Liverpool and am proud of where I come from, so to be recognised by John Moores is great.

“I congratulate all the students who have graduated this week, I hope they enjoyed their time in Liverpool and trust they will be good ambassadors for the city.”

Professor Michael Brown, the university’s Vice Chancellor, is proud of its sporting achievements. He said: “Beth joined the university as one of our first sports scholars, and she has surpassed all of our expectations, gaining an excellent degree while also performing at the highest international level.

“It is a great honour to be able to celebrate Beth’s success alongside that of another local sporting champion. Steve Parry’s Olympic and Commonwealth success proves that with hard work and commitment it is possible to achieve great success.”

Heathcote was another success story proud to be on the cathedral steps: “For somebody who was not academically bright at school, it is fantastic to be honoured by this university.

“Liverpool has always been very generous to me and we have had a lot of success here. Ever since we opened Simply Heathcotes it has been a fabulous city to do business in.

“We are going to do the catering in the new Arena, which will link me to the city even further.”

Liverpool John Moores University orator, Professor Frank Sanderson said: “Few individuals so clearly epitomise the university’s ethos of Dream, Plan, Achieve than Paul Heathcote.

“He has done more to raise culinary standards in the North West of England than any other person, and his business success has been sustained by real entrepreneurial flair, high culinary standards and an ability to manage change.”

There was also recognition for Rev Rupert Hoare, former Dean of the Anglican Cathedral, who received an honorary Fellowship for his contribution to inter-faith relations in the city.

Queen guitarist Brian May is among those due to receive an honorary fellowship tomorrow .

lizawilliams@dailypost.co.uk