THE founder of a gymnastics club has been honoured with a prestigious award for her lifelong dedication to the sport, alongside an Olympic star and a GB national coach.

Lynn Hammersley, who founded the Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club in Five Acres 44 years ago, recieved the annual Nik Stuart Foundation Memorial Award at a special dinner in Coventry.

She was one of just six people to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this time, including Beijing, London and Rio medallist Louis Smith MBE and his former coach Paul Hall, who is now the head of the GB men’s team.

Lynn, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the foundation chairman Mike Swallow, has not only trained thousands of local gymnasts, but also built a £1m gymnastics and fitness centre for the club, which is run as a ‘not for profit’ charity.

She still works more than 50 hours a week managing and coaching to ensure that everyone gets the chance to achieve their best.

Lynn’s achievement is recorded on the Roll of Honour in the Hall of Fame, and her citation reads:

“Those who, by example, have distinguished themselves, inspired and benefited others and in recognition of a lifetime dedication to the sport and art of gymnastics, your endeavour, achievements, sportsmanship, integrity and ambassadorship.”

In her speech of acceptance, Lynn thanked the trustees and organisers of the award, and said how honoured she was to receive it.

She said it was a huge privilege to be a part of so many children’s lives through the sport of gymnastics.

Lynn received a framed scroll of honour with the citation and the Nik Stuart Memorial trophy.

She said that it really puts the Forest on the map.

Nik Stuart is regarded as the ‘father’ of modern gymnastics in Great Britain.

He was the first British champion and went on to win European medals.

He began gymnastics in the Army and became a legend of the sport during the 1950s and 1960s, becoming the national coach for Great Britain in 1964.

Nik visited the Forest of Dean Gymnastics Centre several times when it was being fitted out during the mid-1990s.

He even performed his trademark ‘one-handed handstands’ in the gym while in his late 70s, and was a guest at the official opening of the centre as both an inspiration and a legend to many.