It's been a while since I last wrote a
blog –
but what a lot has happened since then! It is now 2012 and everybody
here is working hard as the countdown to 27 July continues.
Being a pin collector myself, and having traded pins with
other collectors at the last four Games, it's been a real privilege to
be able to play host this time around - offering little bits of advice on the
best places to stay and things to do in London.
A small sample of the London 2012 pins I have collected so far!
With the Olympic and Paralympic Games only
coming around every two years, pin collectors are getting excited
about the
prospect of meeting up with old friends, swapping pins and collecting
new and rare ones.
Speaking of which, there has been plenty of pin activity
recently.
Our countdown series has continued – with the '200 days to go' pins proving as popular as the other pins in the series. Expect to
see many more of those countdown pins as the days tick away. Also appearing in shops
has been the Icons of series, which has focused on the different
countries of the United Kingdom. Whether it's an English rose or a Welsh dragon, tea and scones or a kilt with a dangling London 2012 logo as a sporran, these
pins have been very well received by collectors.
Among my personal favourites
are the new Team GB pins featuring Team GB mascot Pride, who has
joined his friends Wenlock and Mandeville by being immortalised in enamel!
Surprises in store
There are still nearly
half of the 2,012 designs yet to hit the shelves, and I think collectors will be
pleasantly surprised when these go on sale. In particular, we can look forward
to some lovely boxed sets representing each individual sport – sets which have
proved particularly popular at previous Games.
Of course, there is also plenty to speculate about. Will
there be any Torch Relay pins or Opening Ceremony pins? Part of the fun of collecting is waiting to see what comes out, so I
won't reveal too much about these in this blog.
One of the most attractive things about pin collecting as a
hobby is the opportunity to meet with other collectors. And there are plans
coming together for official pin trading locations during the Games this summer – stay tuned for more information on this at a later date!
In the meantime, if you fancy meeting some local
collectors and maybe even swapping a pin or two, then why not come down to
John Lewis in Stratford this Saturday (21 January) from 12–4pm. There is an unofficial gang
of collectors getting together who will make you feel more than welcome, and be
willing to chat and trade pins with anybody who wants to do so.
Until next time – happy collecting!
