Local Leaders

Throw an Olympic-themed party for your friends and family

Get inspiration from Local Leaders around the UK

Get your whole community involved in celebrating the Games

If you want to plan a celebration for the Games, look no further. Sign up to be a Local Leader and whether you invite three friends or your whole community, we'll provide you with the tools to make your celebration one to remember.

It’s really simple. Just pick an occasion and get planning. If you need some inspiration, have a look at the ideas below that people like you have suggested. You can also check out our tools and tips to get you started planning your event .

Whatever you decide to do, sign up for Local Leader emails and over the next few months we'll make sure you have planning guides, 'Save the date' cards, decoration ideas, exclusive offers and more.

Dig out your trowels and get planting! Use your window pot, garden or community allotment to celebrate through all things floral

The Olympic Flame is coming to a town near you, 18 May–27 July 2012. Get your friends and family out on the streets to welcome the Flame as it passes through.

Know your Fencing from your Phelps? Hold a big Sports Quiz at home or in your student union to find your local 'brains of the Games'

Opening Ceremony: it's showtime. Cook up a storm with themed recipes, or create a VIP gala night as the Games get underway.

A medal-winning weekend. On 4 August get your whole street or village together for a BBQ to watch record breaking athletes.

Glow with the glory of the Paralympic Games: make a lantern and join a Flame Festival...or make a lantern procession of your own.

It’s almost over. Sob. Whether you invite three friends or your whole community, celebrate what has been an extraordinary summer.

Preparation is the key to any good event. Get off to a flying start with our quick hints and tips on how to get started.

Already signed up? Tell Tom from the Local Leader team about what you've got planned and we'll feature you on the website

Local Leaders stories

Name: Shane Hull
Where: Hethersett, Norfolk
When: 22-24 July 2012
Project: Hethersett Open Weekend

'As a village we have been inspired by the London 2012 Games and have successfully held a series of themed events, culminating in an extensive programme for 2012,with something for everyone to enjoy at little or no cost.

'Hethersett Open Weekend 2012 is a celebration of sporting and cultural events including a talent show, 24-hour swimming marathon, 'Sport in the Park' (an all-day event featuring over 20 Olympic sports), a two mile fun run, a ladies 5-a-side football tournament and an "Olympic themed" weekend flower festival.

'The highlight of our year will undoubtedly be the arrival of the Olympic Flame in Hethersett on 5 July.'

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Name: Phil Duffy, Headteacher, Wallasey School
Where: Wirral, Liverpool
When: Summer term 2012
Project: Wallasey School Cultural Week.

'We're celebrating the Games by theming our annual Cultural Week on the seven Olympic and Paralympic Values. We have already created four new school houses based on great British Olympians, and will be collaborating with local primary schools as we celebrate the cultural diversity of the nations competing in the London 2012 Games. Events already planned include a Games-themed quiz held in each of the primary schools with the final being held in the main hall of Wallasey School.

'Our Cultural Week has long been a highlight of the year for many of our students, and the opportunity to share our facilities and staffing expertise with members of our extended community is much of what we are about as a school. The inspiration that our students and staff are already drawing from the London 2012 Games will only enhance what is always a vibrant week in our calendar.'
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Name: Derek Peaple, Headteacher, Park House School
Where: Newbury, West Berkshire
When: 28 July 2012, with on-going post-event activity
Project:'We're celebrating the Games with a community festival on 28th July based around five themes, reflecting both local skills and the global diversity of the Games.

'The themes are 'World Food', including demonstrations and tasting opportunities; 'Sporting Festival', in which local clubs will provide taster sessions matching many of the first day’s events; 'Watching Together', with live competition being shown on big screens in a picnic area; 'Community Crafts', where local artists and crafts people will demonstrate their skills and offer opportunities for visitors to learn new skills; and 'Celebration', a programme of live entertainment from local bands and schools.

'The event will therefore bring people together around the excitement of the first day of Games, enabling them to try something different and create sustainable community links as part of a lasting Olympic and Paralympic legacy in the area.'
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Name: Paul Clarke
Where: Burnley
When: Throughout 2012
Project: 'I’m planning on organising The Orchard Challenge to Garden for the Games with local schools.

'We will see how many apple trees can be planted during 2012 to create long lasting orchards for the children to enjoy for many, many years to come.'

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Name: Adrian and Charlie
Where: Little Ribston, Yorkshire
When: 31 December 2011
Project: 'We decided to throw an Olympic-themed New Year's Eve party because it is a good opportunity to celebrate our country hosting such a spectacle, dress up and pretend to be one of our athletic idols and, most importantly, have fun with friends and family.

'We are lucky to be attending the Olympics so the party will get us all in the spirit early on in 2012. As the energy and momentum running up to the start of the Games reaches a climax, we'll also have an Olympic bbq with friends. At the end of the day, any excuse for a party!'
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Name: Makaela and Aga, Edible Bus Stop
Where: Lambeth
When: April-August 2012
Project: 'We are planning to garden for the Games in our space next to the bus stop on Landor Road, SW9, to grow vegetables in all the colours of the Olympic Rings.

'Our neighbours, helpers and friends will plant in April and then the seasonal produce will then be served at a street party next summer. It will be a healthy feast fit for record-breaking athletes as well as hungry gardeners.

'We are also planning London 2012-style races, such as a carrot relay or an onion and spoon race.'

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Name: Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade
Where: UK-wide
When: Summer 2012
Project: 'We will be encouraging JLGB members from across England, Scotland and Wales to sign up and embrace this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic Games coming to London.

'As well as our involvement in a Shabbat-friendly Super Saturday, we’ll be organising special screenings of sporting events and sport-themed evening entertainments at our national summer camp next August. Being a Local Leader is a great chance for JLGB to get young Jewish people embracing the Games.'
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Name: Wendy Davis, National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies
Where: London
When: Throughout 2012
Project: ‘We will be showing how proud we are of this country by planting in the Olympic colours at home and at our Devonshire Square offices.

'I am also designing a feature to hang from the windows to show how delighted I am to be part of the excitement of this fantastic event. I will be encouraging all members of NAFAS to plant out their gardens and make designs that inspire the whole country to be a part of the Games, no matter where they live.'
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Name: StreetGames Legacy Leaders
Where: Birmingham, Cornwall, Hull, Lancashire, Newcastle and Wales
When: Summer 2012
Project: 'StreetGames Legacy Leaders is the very first London 2012 Inspire project to sign up to plan a London 2012 Local Leader celebration this summer.

'They will celebrate the Games through various exciting projects including midnight basketball in Newcastle on the eve of the men’s gold final medal event of London 2012 and a decathlon-style event in Falmouth, Cornwall on 18 May to mark the beginning of Olympic Torch Relay.

'With a host of other brilliant projects happening this summer in Birmingham, Hull, Wales and Lancashire, StreetGames Legacy Leaders are all set to celebrate the Games in 2012.

'StreetGames Legacy Leaders is StreetGames' commitment to helping more young people play and enjoy sport by 2012 and beyond. This Inspire project has been running for over four years and is all about the people and projects on the ground. Through its work StreetGames has helped 170,000 young people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to access sport.'
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