Ian displays his medal, and with him (front row) are the Mayoress, the Mayor and Mrs. D. Gradwell. Back row: Mr. Gradwell, Mr. Stokes, K. Crabtree (professional at Glen View), Mr. John Rushton (secretary) and Mr. Peter Brierley (club captain).
Burnley's 17-year-old champion golfer Ian Gradwell took his gold medal, won in the British boys' competition, to the town hall yesterday, 7th September 1970, at the request of the Mayor (Ald. E. Willis). Ian, who added this award to his Lancashire boys' championship which he has won in three successive years, was accompanied by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. Gradwell, and also present were officials of Burnley Golf Club, of which he has been a member since 1963, and Mr. N. B. Stokes, headmaster of Burnley Grammar School, where Ian is in the scholarship sixth.
The Mayor said that he felt it was the least he could do to show his appreciation of Ian's performances and give him some civic recognition. His splendid achievements had helped to put Burnley on the map and they were proud of him. He had invited Ian and those who had been of assistance to him to meet him at the mayor's parlour.
Ian is only the second Lancastrian to win the boys' open competition. He is hoping to enter a university.