CHILDREN at St John’s Pre-School were treated to a famous visitor recently, when an Olympic rowing silver medallist brought her medal to Delamere Street.

Victoria Thornley, who won silver alongside Katherine Grainger in the women’s double sculls in Rio, visited the school on September 28 and was met with a personalised boat made especially for her.

The Welsh rower spent time speaking to the children and showing off her medal, leaving pupils and staff alike in awe.

Gemma Tomlinson of St John’s Pre-School said: “Vicky is the sister of one of my friends. We were all really excited in the build-up to the race and when she won we said ‘we have to get her in’.

“We were trying to explain to the kids beforehand, and we got the tablet out and watched the race. Some of them were in complete awe staring at it.

“She came in on a Wednesday afternoon. We had decorated with bunting and the children had made rowing boats and built a boat out of the blocks in the hall.

“The kids had a go in the boat with her, and had a look at the medal. We also made our own silver medals and everything that goes with it.

“They couldn’t believe how heavy the medal was, and she was quite a sight to behold too. She is about six foot four, so the kids looked very small next to her.”

Gemma said Victoria has been visiting a number of schools since returning from South America, and that the school’s excitement was shared by the Olympian.

“We were very grateful for the experience – a very enjoyable experience. She was quite in awe of how much effort people had made for her.

“I think she was expecting to just turn up and have a chat, but people have decorated specially and made her things.”

Vicky tweeted a photo of the children’s boat after the visit, saying: “Spent the morning going to two pre-schools and one primary school. Great questions from the children! They even built me a boat!!”