News On What's Happened So Far in Worcestershire
Open Weekend
2010
An estimated 42,000 people from across the
West Midlands had their very own ‘Olympic or Paralympic Moment’
this weekend by taking part in one of 56 events that took place
across the region as part of London 2012 Open Weekend - 23 - 25
July 2010
Marking the beginning of the countdown to two
years to go until the start of the 2012 Games, London 2012 Open
Weekend is an annual event and the UK’s largest celebration of
cultural, sporting and educational activity. This year, London 2012
Open Weekend saw literally hundreds of arts, sports, family and
educational events taking place right across the UK.
This year’s theme was ‘challenge yourself’ and
each event included a challenge to members of the public to try or
learn something new as part of the activity. From learning to vogue
New York style, to a re-enactment of a Saxon battle, a South Asian
arts mela and finding out what it’s like to play blind football,
there was literally something for everyone whatever their age,
ability or background, as part of the West Midlands’ London 2012
Open Weekend programme.
Some of the highlights in Worcestershire
included:
Dancefest’s 10 Minute Dance Challenges in
Worcester
Dancefest who are leading 12 Moves, a project to get
Worcestershire dancing in the lead up to London 2012, joined in
with the Open weekend and brought dance to the attention of the
general public in Worcester. They took street dance groups out onto
the streets to show what they had been working on and also to give
the general public the chance to try it out for themselves as part
of a 10 minute dance challenge. AS the performance was to take
place twice - outside The Guildhall and in Angel Place - a second
challenge was added. This time people got to experience Zumba, a
latin style fitness based fusion of dance styles.
An estimated 600 people watched the performances and 300 took
part in the challenges - a great success, lots of people of all
ages watching and dancing
Go Wild in Worcestershire
Hundreds of people got into the Olympic spirit and tried
something new at the first ever Go Wild in Worcestershire event on
Saturday (July 24) organised by Countryside Services.
Worcestershire Woods County Park 'Go Wild'
event included archery, a climbing wall, kite-flying, circus
skills, orienteering, frisbee golf, health walks around Worcester
Woods and bell-boating on the County Hall lakes. Andy Maginnis,
Countryside Manager said " It was great to see people of all ages
and abilities trying out the activities and hopefully, for many of
them, it will ignite a spark that will last a lifetime. It was an
excellent example of the public, private and voluntary sectors
working together for a common goal"
Rock and Fossil family fun at Bewdley
Museum
During the weekend, as part of the 'Discovering Places' event,
many families were able to take the opportunity to learn about
Bewdley and its surrounding area through a range of activities. On
Saturday, more than 300 people watched flying displays in the
Jubilee Gardens given by Hagley Falconry. The birds' handler, Andy,
was also on hand to answer questions about owls and hawks
throughout the day. The star of the show was a baby Wood Owl which,
at only 12 weeks old, was very fluffy and cute - despite its sharp
talons and large beak!
On Sunday, more than 20 people enjoyed a four and a half mile
walk which started with a trip on the Severn Valley Railway. After
travelling from Bewdley to Arley, the walk back through the Wyre
Forest, highlighted various historical features including those
created by coalmining hundreds of years ago. The coffee stop at
Seckly Viewpoint offered amazing views of the River Severn and
Trimpley Reservoir. The walk was organised by Wyre Forest DC in
conjunction with Worcestershire County Council Archaeology Service
and Grow with Wyre.
Visitors were also able to take part in pebble painting, a
dinosaur trail around the museum site and rock and fossil quizzes.
All of the weekend's activities were run to tie in with the
museum's 'Uncovering the Wyre Forest' Exhibition which runs until
15th August.
Sports
Awards
The Herefordshire and Worcestershire top sports people were
unveiled at a glittering awards ceremony in Worcester on Thursday
18th March.
Held at the famous Sixways stadium – home of local rugby
sporting heroes The Worcester Warriors, a record numbers of VIPs
and guests attended the annual Herefordshire and Worcestershire
County Sports Partnership Awards evening.
Following an inspirational speech by Kidderminster-born Olympic
swimmer Todd Cooper, the award winners were announced to an
expectant audience with Rachel Walker
the Raising Our Game Olympic Ambassador
presenting the Raising Our Game sponsored School Sports Award to
the U16 Boys Basketball Team, North Bromsgrove High School.
Rachel Walker with Ben Colley (who received the
School Sports Award on behalf of the U16 Boys Basketball Team,
North Bromsgrove High School) with Steve Ashton (left) and Peter
Turvey (right)
Olympic benefits for local
people
On Friday 9th April at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber
of Commerce, Worcestershire based candidates from the Personal Best
programme were presented with their certificates to mark their
achievement and involvement in the nationwide programme.
The Worcestershire Partnership have supported Sport Structures
to deliver the programme, which is part of the national Inspiration
2012 initiative.
Eight local candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds have
successfully completed Personal Best, achieving their Level 1
qualification. With the knowledge and skills they have gained, they
are now guaranteed an interview to become a Games Time Volunteer at
the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.
The skills are also likely to help the people to get back into
long-term employment and improve their life chances, which helps
the local economy.
"This is a great example of the wider benefits created by the
London 2012 Olympics," said Peter Turvey, the Worcestershire
Partnership's Olympics Coordinator. "As well as the sporting and
business opportunities, there are many opportunities for
individuals to get involved and contribute, which helps broaden the
Games appeal and encourages people to make the most of their own
abilities – be the best they can be in whatever direction they are
inspired by"
The Sport Structures staff Amy Heppingstall, Jobeth Bastable,
Nila Benfield with the Personal Best candidates: Karl Cox, Roger
Turner, Jim Apps (with Peter Turvey - right)
Boys
Dancing
Over 300 boys from six schools and two youth centres in
Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire plus four schools, three after
school groups and two Pupil Referral Units in Worcestershire and
four schools in Sandwell showcased their extraordinary skills and
achievements in a series of showcase performances in March as part
of Boys Dancing
Volunteers - We Need
YOU!
On 1 April 2010 Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising
Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games joined young people
in Staffordshire to launch Volunteers – We Need YOU! Aimed at
encouraging people to get involved now, and granted the Inspire
Mark, the campaign will sign post people to a volunteering
opportunities notice board and provide practical advice and
guidance on volunteering. Organisations looking for volunteers for
cultural events or festivals can sign up to the website to recruit
volunteers. Visit www.wmfor2012.com/volunteering for more
information
21st Culture Inspire
Mark awarded to Three Choirs Festival's new Youth Choir TCF Young
Voices
Three Choirs Festival new Youth Choir TCF Young Voices has been
awarded the West Midlands 21st culture Inspire Mark as an
outstanding project that will contribute to the lasting legacy of
the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Read more
The Olympics
Came Early to Tenbury
Paralympic
athlete and local children join together to celebrate 1,000 days
countdown to London 2012 Games
- Pupils from Catshill Middle School and Chadsgrove Special
School who are part of the North Worcestershire school sports
partnership, enjoyed a joint celebration today (3 December) to mark
1,000 days to the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Events
took place at both schools and the children were joined by Richard
White, the Paralympian who won two bronze medals in Sydney 2000 and
lives in Catshill.
- At Chadsgrove School there was a chance for around 100 children
from both schools to try out Paralympic sports for the first time
including boccia and new age curling. Pupils also joined together
to park part in a wheelchair basket ball game.
- Dave Hewitt, PE and Sports Co-ordinator at Catshill Middle
School said: ‘The event was a great chance to celebrate the
friendship that exists between our two schools and enabled pupils
to work collaboratively together in a range of activities.’
- Sheena Ball, PE and School Sports Co-ordinator at Chadsgrove
Special School said: ‘Today’s event has provided a wonderful
opportunity for young people in our local community, to not only
engage in range of Paralympic and disability sports, but to use
these as a vehicle to explore the Olympic and Paralympic Values of
Respect, Equality and Determination.’
- Catshill Middle School is one of only 54 schools nationwide
that has been invited to join the London 2012 Get Set network. This
is in recognition of the school’s initiatives to promote the
Olympic and Paralympic Values of Friendship, Determination,
Courage, Equality, Excellence, Inspiration and Respect. Pupils from
the two schools have joined together in a range of initiatives to
develop community cohesion between the schools. Projects have
included looking at developing pupils’ knowledge of issues around
disability and pupils working and helping each other in PE lessons.
Through these joint initiatives the two schools have developed the
Values of Friendship and Inspiration.
- Paralympian Richard White said: ‘The learning opportunities in
the London 2012 Get Set programme extend far beyond sport, making
them wholly inclusive as shown by the fun that the pupils from both
schools have had today.’
- Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee
(LOCOG) said: ‘In 1,000 days time we will be welcoming the
Paralympic Games home and we will deliver a spectacular showcase
for Paralympic sport. However, we have greater ambitions. This is a
golden opportunity to raise awareness of Paralympic sport,
challenge stereotypes about disability and secure a legacy which
would have every disabled child getting greater access to sport. We
need to work our ambition through at every level and I wish staff
and students at Catshill Middle School and Chadsgrove Special
School every success with their event to mark the 1,000 days
milestone."
- Schools and colleges that wish to become members of the Get Set
network need to register with Get Set, showcase their student-led
work around the Values via the dedicated ‘Get Set’ blog, and
complete a short application form. They will receive the right to
use the London 2012 education logo on their headed paper, website
and school sign. Members of the Get Set network will also receive
access to exclusive competitions and 2012 Games related
opportunities over the next three years.
- More than 11,000 schools and colleges across the UK are already
registered as using the Get Set resources - or taking part in the
initiatives promoted through the eight key themes of Get Set.
Olympic
Contracts - in Worcestershire - Right here, Right
now
- On 13th November 2009, Paul Deighton, Chief Executive of the
London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
(LOCOG) - who are responsible for preparing and staging the 2012
Games - was the guest speaker at the first of two 2012 business
awareness raising workshops for Worcestershire and Herefordshire
businesses. The workshop - at Abbey Hotel, Malvern - was hosted by
the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce in
conjunction with Business Link West Midlands and funded by
Advantage West Midlands and was aimed at equipping West Midlands
businesses with the knowledge, information and skills they require
to successfully compete for 2012 tender opportunities that will
arise over the next 2 - 3 years.
- Paul Deighton addressed more than 100 businesses at the event
on the imminent possibilities of getting a share of the £700
million procurement budget due to be spent by London 2012 on every
kind of service and product that will be required for the duration
of the Games.
- During his presentation Paul spoke about the developments that
have already taken place in preparation for the Games and how it
isn’t too late to be involved and tender for contracts. He went on
to say that small businesses are just as likely, if not more likely
to secure contracts related to the Olympics and how important it
was for his company to ensure that the whole country got to benefit
from the Games and not just London.
Business Awareness Workshop - 13th Nov 2009. Paul
Deighton (picture left) and Paul Deighton being introduced (from L
to R), Chris Saint, Peter Turvey, Jim Johnston and Mike
Ashton
The
Personal Best Programme
- The Personal Best programme, backed by a government initiative
called 2012 Games Inspirations, is offering to train up to 400
people in the West Midlands who are out of work or socially
disadvantaged in order to raise their skills (participants will be
offered an opportunity to train for a Level 1 qualification in
event volunteering) and improve their employability (Worcestershire
is the first sub-region to run the programme in West Midlands).
After gaining new skills, participants will also have a chance to
apply to become one of the UK’s 70,000 Games Time Volunteers. Those
completing the course will also have the opportunity to volunteer
at local sporting, cultural and community events.
- The tailor-made course includes a variety of modules ranging
from customer service to public safety awareness and understanding
what makes an effective volunteer, combined with 30 hours of
practical volunteer experience. In addition, trainees will receive
ongoing support and guidance from a team of Personal Best advisers,
to improve their chances of getting a job and enhance their
interview technique.
- The Personal Best programme and complementary courses are being
managed by Sport Structures who have been working with
disadvantaged communities for over 5 years providing sport and
coaching as an opportunity to improve quality of life. They won
“Coaching Intervention of the Year 2008” at the UK Coaching
awards.
- Sian Williams (who was born and bred in Worcester) is a learner
on the Sport Structures Worcester Personal Best Programme. She has
four children who are now all school age, which provides her with
the time and opportunity to access the course and develop new
skills and tools. Sian’s main motivations for taking part in the
course are;
- To be a positive role model for her children
- To have the chance of being interviewed to be a Games Time
volunteer at the London 2012 Olympic Games
- To gain skills and knowledge to enable her to move towards
employment and have a career.
- To volunteer in her local community, if possible with her
family.
- Sian said “I have recently been lucky enough to represent the
West Midlands in what opportunities are available for us to take
part in the 2012 Olympic Games. I accompanied Simon Kirkland from
Sport Structures to a media flat in London, where I met Jonathon
Edwards and David Moorcroft, overlooking the Olympic Village. We
had a briefing, chaired by Mr Edwards, where we spoke about why we
were there. I talked about my involvement in the Personal Best
programme and what I hoped to achieve in the future. We then had a
bus tour of the Olympic village. It is hard to describe the sheer
scale of the village and how inspiring and beautiful the aquatic
stadium especially is. It was a fantastic day and has made me more
determined to complete the Personal Best course, become a volunteer
and strive to be involved a 2012 Games Time Volunteer”.
- Paul Deighton (Chief Executive of the London Organising
Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) visited
Worcestershire on 13th Nov 2009 - . During his visit he looked in
on Sian and the Personal Best Team.
Paul Deighton visit to Personal Best programme. (From left to
right) Back row: Peter Turvey, Nila Benfield, Matt Kendall.
Front row: Sian Williams, Paul Deighton and Graham
Steward
Two Worcestershire
representatives visit the Olympic Park
- On Wednesday 4 November 2009, five representatives from the
West Midlands (including two from Worcestershire), plus Dave
Moorcroft OBE, joined Jonathan Edwards, Olympic Triple Jump Gold
medallist and Deputy Chair of London 2012’s Nations and Regions
Group, for a special tour around the Olympic Park site.
- Nick Harrison, Sales Director for Slick Seating Systems Ltd in
Redditch, represented the business community in the West Midlands.
Slick Systems have been appointed, via CompeteFor, to provide
seating for the Basketball Arena in the Olympic Park. (A Case Study
on Slick Seating was featured in the Nov/Dec edition of Business
Direction)
- Sian Williams, from Worcester, is a learner on the Sport
Structures, Personal Best Programme. The Personal Best programme is
part of a government backed initiative called 2012 Games
Inspirations (further information on Sian and the Personal Best
programme below),
- Jonathan Edwards, Olympic Triple Jump Gold medallist and Deputy
Chair of London 2012’s Nations and Regions Group, said: “With 996
days to go until the start of the London 2012 Games, it was a
pleasure to welcome the West Midlands to the Olympic Park. The
individual stories I’ve heard on 4 November represent the many ways
people right across the region are already inspired by, involved,
benefitting from or delivering the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games. Together we will ensure the events are a spectacular success
and deliver a legacy for generations to come.”
Sian Willims with Jonathan Edwards during visit to
Olympic Park - 4th Nov 2009
Northwick Manor Primary
School have recorded their Olympic Song
- Lord Sebastian Coe, the Chair of the London
2012 Organising Committee, visited Worcester in April 2009. As part
of his tour he went to Northwick Manor Primary School. When he
arrived the children greeted him with their own Olympic song
"Raising Our Game".
- Lord Coe said: "I'll be taking it back to the
headquarters with me, and if I ever want any ideas for the opening
ceremony, I'll know where to come!"
- In July 2009 children from Northwick Manor Primary School
visited The Old Smithy Recording Studio in Kempsey, Worcester, to
record their Olympic song.
- Video to be shot to create DVD to accompany CD – in partnership
with Worc Uni.
- Basic storyboard agreed and videoing to start Jan 2010
- Launch date – 24th July 2012 (Open Weekend)
- Lyrics
The Bandstand
Marathon
- The Bandstand Marathon is part of the 2012
Cultural Olympiad. The idea is that bandstands across the region
will host brass and silver bands on one afternoon as part of the
Cultural Olympiad celebrations. This year 120 bands and around
3,000 musicians played to between 28,000 and 35,000 people across
the UK. The aim of the Bandstand Marathon is to gather momentum
over the forthcoming years, with regions joining in as the years go
by.
- The provisional date for the
event next year is 26 September 2010.
- This years event which was held on Sunday
27th Sept 2009 included a bandstand in the Church Green
area, Redditch. The area played its part within a wider range of
activities taking part across the whole town centre with community
arts groups and over 30 local community organisations all
celebrating their achievements in the town over the past year.
- “The Bandstand is now high on the Council's
priority list ! There is an intention to create a series of events
next year across the warmer months” said . Jonathan Cochrane,
development manager for Arts in Redditch
- The bandstand Marathon has been awarded
the Inspire Mark
- Further information can be found at the 2010
Bandstand Marathon website – http://www.bandstandmarathon.org.uk/
2012 interactive stand
created for Playday event on 5th August 2009 (Matchborough,
Redditch)
- Hockey target challenge with fruit as reward
(see photo [right] below)
- Virtual constant use by children from 1.00pm
– 5.00pm
- Supported by Rachel
Walker of TeamGB Hockey Team (see photo below)
Open Weekend 2009: Three
year countdown to Olympics
- The last weekend in July 2009 saw a number of activities
taking place to celebrate the three year countdown to the opening
ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. The Open Weekends initiative
will be an annual event in the lead up to the games and is aimed at
giving everyone the opportunity to try sporting and cultural
activities and make use of facilities free of charge.
- 53 events took place in the West Midlands included cultural,
sporting, natural environment and community events and reflected
the region’s ambition to take the London 2012 programme to the
whole region. The latest figures show that almost 50,000
people took part in events over the weekend – that’s
almost twice as many as last year. The media coverage of the
weekend was excellent and widespread, with the BBC giving it a
profile and support which was a big step forward compared to last
year.
- There were four events in Worcestershire. In Bewdley, the local
regatta, one of the biggest and best inland river regattas in the
country, offered free entry to all spectators. Also in Bewdley
children were invited to decorate an area of Bewdley Museum Gardens
in celebration of Olympic achievement as part of a garden designs
weekend. In Wyre Forest, the national nature reserve opened paths
to the public and in Malvern the junior open tennis tournament was
free to all spectators.
- The Worcestershire Olympic Steering Group would like you to get
thinking about what you could do to contribute to the 2010 and 2011
Open Weekends. These will take place from 23 to 25 July 2010 and 22
to 24 July 2011.
John Armitt Visit (20th
May 2009)
Local Firm Lands Prestigious Contract for the 2012 Games
- John Armitt, Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA),
recently visited Worcestershire (20th May 2009).
- “The great thing about the London Olympics is that it is
not only businesses in London who benefit, but those from all over
the country.” said John Armitt, who was pleased to visit a
Worcestershire company which was already seeing the benefits of the
Olympic project - Netswork Ltd, a Worcester firm which produces
safety netting. The company recently secured an £80,000 contract
for one of the most prestigious buildings for the London 2012
Olympics.
- Netswork Ltd, based in Lark Hill Road, off London Road, won a
sub-contract from Lakesmere and will install 11,000 metres of
safety netting – the size of three football pitches – and 500
metres for edge protection for the Aquatics Centre on the Olympic
Park.
- Graham Cowley, MD of NetsWork, said it was a prestigious job
and they were proud to be part of the preparations for the
Olympics. “It is a big contract for someone like us to take on……..
hopefully we will get more contracts from this. But today is also
to show the benefits to other businesses in the region and try and
give them the opportunity to sign up and compete for the contracts
available.”
Lord Sebastian Coe Visit
(30th April 2009)
- Lord Sebastian Coe, the Chair of the London
2012 Organising Committee, visited Worcester to see how the city is
preparing to be involved in the games in three years time.
- Lord Coe, who won gold in the 1980 and 1984
Olympics, was welcomed to Northwick Primary school in Northwick
Road, Worcester by pupils singing their own Olympic song "Raising
Our Game".
- The school is one of several in the region already involved in
Get Set, the London 2012 education
programme.
- “This area has a great tradition of sport,” said Lord Coe.
“I’ve come to a school that embraces the Olympic values both in the
life of the school and in the strategy of the school. “We went to
Singapore to win the games for youngsters like this. They are able
to use the games to learn so many other things, such as history,
gymnastics or dance. “I’m delighted to be here and witnessing all
the creative things they are doing. This is one of the most
impressive things I’ve seen for a long, long time”
- The school put on a whole day of activities to coincide with
Lord Coe’s visit with pupils taking part in activities ranging from
art, history, Get Set activities and orienteering, to street dance,
drumming, a talk from a blind footballer, circus skills and
gymnastics.
- At the University of Worcester Lord Coe and
the Leadership Group toured the sports centre and motion and
performance centre and met students working on ‘sportscode’, a
research project which uses computer technology and software to
analyse and improve sporting performance. “The
university was selected for inclusion as a training base for
athletes for the London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp Guide and has
already been chosen as a base for the Lithuanian Basketball
team
Open Weekend 2008
Playground to Podium -
7th July 2009
