I don’t know how you find it, but I think it’s easier to get up with the lighter mornings, which is fortunate as it was the 6.15 AM for me and a train to Durham for the North East 2012 meeting. As with other groups across the Nations and Regions, they meet to work out how they can best maximise the opportunities presented by the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012. We try to attend as many meetings as we can so we get a good feel for what's going on in the region on the London 2012 agenda and to offer what support we can too.

Of course, one of the key ways in which the North East will be involved is by having an Olympic venue - St James’ Park for the Football. The North East is also trying to secure teams to train in the area at some of the excellent facilities when they’re preparing for the Games in those weeks beforehand.

We also talked about the business opportunities for North East companies and looked at half a dozen who’ve already secured contracts. But the main focus is on finding out what opportunities might be forthcoming and how best to alert businesses. We looked in a bit of detail too at how the Personal Best programme is going to be rolled out in the North East, and how it aims to benefit those looking for work by providing training. Those who see the programme through are guaranteed an interview with LOCOG to be a Games-time volunteer.
 
So business, culture and sport – what else is there? Well after the meeting I sneaked off to the cathedral – wonderful!