London 2012 blog

Weymouth usually conjures up images of water but not the kind that comes down in sheets from the sky! The Culture, Ceremonies and Education team enjoyed an away day in Weymouth last week at the Olympic Sailing Academy – a 2012 Olympic venue. Even the torrential rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for discussions around their evolving plans or the desire to have a go at the Olympic sport of sailing.

I was invited to join everyone on Thursday evening when newly appointed Martin Green, Head of Ceremonies and Mike Gibbons, Head of Live Sites were welcomed to the team by Bill Morris. What an impressive group of people sat around the table as discussions ranged from the four education work strands, to what could engage and attract young people to the Cultural Olympiad and finally what types of celebrations could occur nationwide on the 2008 Handover Days at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.














Needless to say the creative juices flowed and by the end of the brainstorming there was a collective sense of a clearer vision and focus, not only for each of the distinctive focal points of culture, ceremonies and education but also how they could be intrinsically link to one another with an overall focus on young people.

Portland Harbour then played host to some of LOCOG’s finest sailors...or rather hopeful sailors as some of the team took part in sailing lessons followed by highly competitive racing! Rumour has it that 50% grasped the key requirement of any good yachtsman to stay 'on board', but unfortunately, the other half managed to capsize their boats in style!

Fantastically worthwhile and productive day!