If there was ever a doubt that the London 2012 Games could reach beyond London then the Open Weekend dispelled it. Our Open Weekend programme in the Northwest was fantastic and the enthusiasm and connection to the game was clear. We want to take part. In
The next day I went to Consiton in Cumbria to take part in an altogether different type of experience - ThickSpace - a spatial environment and block of light suspended from the trees in the heart of National Trust woodland which was one part of our Neon Attractors programme which was awarded the Inspire mark. If ever an event could embody the olympic spirit and sport/art fusion ethic, this was it. I walked together with 30 or so others for two and half miles through the forest to reach ThickSpace. It was night. It was dark. We all carried flamed torches which as the group commented felt like a very personal ceremonial gesture for the start of the Olympiad. Very fitting. On arrival at the site kids and adults walked into the cube, played inside it, layed down on the floor and immersed themselves in it. Afterwards they were singing its praises as an art/sport experience and asking what next?
I felt really proud. The Olympiad has begun and people in the Northwest are really into it. The next four years are going to be a real human adventure into a place we have never been before. We could not have hoped for a better beginning with the Open Weekend.
