Team GB Olympian launches SPAR Lancashire School Games 2023-24

By James Hall & Co. Ltd

29 Nov 2023

SPAR Lancashire School Games 23-24 Launch 1.jpg.jpg

Team GB Olympic bronze medallist Holly Bradshaw inspired schoolchildren with her career achievements at the launch of the SPAR Lancashire School Games 2023-24.

Held at James Hall & Co. Ltd’s SPAR Distribution Centre in Preston, 55 schoolchildren from nine of Lancashire’s districts joined together to celebrate the launch with staff from James Hall & Co. Ltd, Active Lancashire, and the School Games Organiser Network.

They were greeted on arrival for photos with SPAR mascot SPARtan before enjoying a tour of the distribution centre, including ambient, fresh, and frozen warehouses, and the food manufacturing areas.

Sandwiched in between was an inspirational presentation from Holly, age 32, from Preston, who became the first ever British athlete to win a Pole Vault Olympic medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Holly said: “I was very excited to be asked to come back and speak at the launch the Lancashire School Games.

“I was very sporty at school and took part in the Games myself when I played football, so it was an honour to speak to schoolchildren about my time as a School Games participant and the career I have had as a Team GB athlete.

“I am currently in my winter training programme as I prepare for one last swansong at the Paris Olympics next year, after which I will retire from the sport, and I am looking forward to my final season of competition.”

Christoper Baron, age 9, from Heskin Pemberton CE Primary School, said: “I had fun at the School Games launch. Holly’s talk taught me to keep on trying to achieve what you want, and I think she has shown courage and bravery to succeed after surgeries.

“I also thought the warehouse tour was amazing. I loved seeing the food manufacturing area and learning about the deliveries to SPAR stores in Northern England.”

India Elkington, age 9, from Holy Trinity RC Primary School in Brierfield, said: “It was very interesting to learn how the food is made in a factory, especially all the sandwiches. I liked the big freezer best, but I think it gets colder in Brierfield!

“I loved Holly’s talk, especially learning that she played football when she did the School Games as I really like football. I learned that if you believe in what you can, do you can do it.”

The Lancashire School Games are run by Active Lancashire and the School Games Organiser Network and have been sponsored by SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd since 2006.

In 2022-23, the Games engaged 24,000 children in sport and activities across Lancashire through 23 feature events and competitions.

Adrian Leather, chief executive at Active Lancashire, said: “It was a pleasure to launch the Lancashire School Games once again at SPAR’s North of England Distribution Centre. It always amazes the schoolchildren who visit, and huge thanks go to James Hall & Co. Ltd for arranging this and for their continued partnership and support of the School Games for another year.

“It was also a huge privilege to welcome Holly along as our guest speaker for an inspirational presentation. I think everybody present in the room left feeling extremely motivated and we wish her well at the Paris Olympics next summer.”

Niels Dekkers, retail development director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “We had a fantastic morning of fun welcoming schoolchildren to our distribution centre. Opening their eyes to the scale of the business is always an honour, and the reactions to our freezer area in particular are always priceless.

“Thanks very much to Active Lancashire and the School Games Organiser Network for arranging Holly to come along and inspire us all. Holly’s career journey is one to be proud of, adding wow factor to the event, and I would like to say good luck to her from everyone at James Hall & Co. Ltd in her preparation for the Paris Olympics.”

Latest news

1

University of Central Lancashire celebrates hat-trick of wins at Educate North Awards University of Central Lancashire winners at Educate North Award Winners 2025

University of Central Lancashire celebrates hat-trick of wins at Educate North Awards

04 Apr 2025

2

The Villa’s sister venue shuts its doors The Villa Levens and The VillaWrea Green (Image credit: The Villa Levens and The Villa Wrea Green)

The Villa’s sister venue shuts its doors

04 Apr 2025

3

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs Manufacturing

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs

03 Apr 2025

4

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

5

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin