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Employment, learning and skillsSeb Coe gets set for London 2012 Open Weekend celebrations across the East Midlands
24/06/2009
Exciting events across the East Midlands, from interactive sports activities to dressage, swimming and proms in the park are to be part of London 2012 Open Weekend (24th – 26th July 2009) – a series of events across the country enabling access to excellence in the arts, culture and sport and celebrating three years to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games.
London 2012 Open Weekend enables everyone to share in the excitement of the Games, be inspired, get involved, unleash creativity and try something new. Join the celebrations across the East Midlands and plan your weekend: www.london2012.com/openweekend
All 15 London 2012 Open Weekend Events taking place in the East Midlands are listed, county-by-county, below. Examples include:
• In Leicester, get inter-active at Love Sport - shoot for goal in Penalty Pressure, take part in family dance workshops at the Walkers Stadium, or get a free health check.
• Cabaret, comedy and pyrotechnics in Skegness and family fun for all in Lincoln with Olympic Games from Ancient Greece through to Victorian Britain
• Make a splash with the whole family to celebrate the opening of a new international pool in Corby or watch a British Dressage Event in Northampton
• Bring your picnic for some good old British classics at Proms in the Park, or look at hidden archaeological treasure in Nottingham
The London 2012 Open Weekend created by London 2012 is supported by BP, the Premier Partner of the Cultural Olympiad. London 2012 Open Weekend will take place every year in July.
This year’s London 2012 Open Weekend follows the success of last year’s event, which launched the Cultural Olympiad and enabled over 700,000 people to become part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Be inspired at Open Weekend
Many events recognised through the London 2012 Inspire programme, are also involved in London 2012 Open Weekend. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises exceptional mass participation projects and events inspired by London 2012 and contributing to its wider legacy. Three Inspire mark events are taking place across the East Midlands for London 2012 Open Weekend. An example is at the Y Theatre in Leicester, which will be transformed into The Lyric Lounge, where lyrics, music and visual magic will be performed at one of Leicester’s best live venues.
The Inspire programme and Open Weekend are examples of how London 2012 is enabling people and communities right across the UK to benefit from the Games, encouraging participation and recognising the contribution people, places and projects are making to the success of the 2012 Games.
In the East Midlands, partners including East Midlands Development Agency (emda), Arts Council England, Sport England, East Midlands Tourism and Government Office for the East Midlands are working together to implement the regional strategy for the 2012 Games.
Paul Brookes, Creative Programmer for London 2012 in the East Midlands said: “The Open Weekend is a great opportunity for people in the East Midlands to get a taste of the world-class cultural and community assets which we will be showcasing on a national and international scale.
“As we count down to London 2012, we are building on the success of last year’s events which marked the handover from Beijing and the launch of the Cultural Olympiad. I am confident that many people across the county will be inspired to participate in and experience new activities, which will leave a lasting legacy of a sense of pride in the unique sporting and cultural landscape of our region.”
London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe said: “We’ve always been clear that London 2012 is about more than just sport, we want to create a Games for the Nation and Games that are accessible to everyone. We created Open Weekend as part of the Cultural Olympiad, to enable people to share in the countdown celebrations towards London 2012 but also be inspired by the Games to discover new interests and develop their talents.
“Open Weekend is part of our vision for the Games to inspire lasting change. The fantastic range of Open Weekend events provide opportunities for everyone to access excellence across sport, art and culture and try something new. The Games are thriving across the UK and we are grateful to the organisations that have partnered with us to make Open Weekend happen.”
Peter Mather, Head of BP in the UK said: “BP is delighted to become the Premier Partner of the Cultural Olympiad. We have an excellent track record for supporting the arts in the UK and we want to help build further synergies between sports and the arts in the run up to the 2012 Games. We are already working closely with LOCOG on our plans as the official Tier 1 oil and gas partner and adding the cultural arm to these activities is something to which we are looking forward.”
END
For more details about this press release, please contact Nick King at emda on 0115 988 8375, or email nickking@emd.org.uk
Photo shows, left to right: Sebastian Coe; Tom Clark from Foot in Hand; Aimee Hooson representing Corby East Midlands International Pool.
Listings
East Midlands London 2012 Open Weekend Events arranged by county and date order. Those delivered by organisations with an Inspire mark have an (IM) symbol beside them.
LEICESTERSHIRE
Five London 2012 Open Weekend events:
Free Family Dance Workshops (IM)
Date: 26th July
Timings: 10:30 am and 2:30 pm
Free family dance workshops with Foot In Hand.Join us for fun, creative dance sessions for parents, grandparents, siblings and friends led by the disabled and non-disabled dancers of Foot In Hand.Suitable for all ages, ranges of mobility and ways of understanding the world.
Organisation: Foot In Hand
helen@projects-events.co.uk, www.footinhand.co.uk, 0116 224 9700
Venue: Special Olympics Village, Walkers Stadium, Walkers Stadium Leicester City Football Club Filbert Way Leicester, LE2 7FL
Tickets: Free.Sign-up on the day or pre-book with Harriet Roy on 07973 914 059
Streetstyle Sportstyle Then and Now 1989/2009 exhibition (IM)
Date: 24th July 2009 – 25th July 2009
Timings: 24th July 10.00- 18.00, 25th July 11.00-16.00
Streetstyle, Sportstyle 89/09 is an exhibition exploring what people in the East Midlands were wearing in 1989 and what they choose to wear in 2009. The exhibition will include everyday and sports clothes loaned by local people as well as designer and high street clothes preserved by museums around the East Midlands. Events for all ages on Saturday 25th July.
Organisation: Streetstyle Sportstyle
contact@streetstylesportstyle.org.uk, 0116 252 2455, www.streetstylesportstyle.org.uk,
Venue: The Richard Attenborough Centre, University of Leicester Lancaster Road, Leicester, LE1 7HA
Tickets: Exhibition and events Free
Love Sport
Date: 24th July 2009 - 26 July 2009
Timings: 10am - 5pm
Love Sport is everyting that sport should be - accessible, challenging, healthy, fun and most of all - for everyone!Get active and try your hand at a range of sports in our new interactive sporting experience - why not shoot for goal in Penalty Pressure, slam-dunk in Hectic Hoops basketball or Go the Distance in the Tour de France.With simulators and interactive displays, Love Sport leads you through an exploration of sport in the 21st Century
Organisation: Leicester City Council
nick.gordon@leicester.gov.uk, 0116 225 4901, www.leicester.gov.uk/museums,
Venue: New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, New Walk, Leicester, LE1 7EA
Tickets: Free
The Lyric Lounge (IM)
Date: 25th July 2009
Timings: See website for details
July 2009 will see The Y Theatre transformed into The Lyric Lounge ‘a unique performance space celebrating the power of live literature’. The Lyric Lounge is part of Renaissance East Midlands contribution to the region-wide Igniting Ambition programme and is undertaken in partnership with Arts Council England East Midlands. For seven days, the Lounge will bring laughter, lyrics, music and visual magic to one of Leicester's finest live venues. As part of the cultural programme for the Special Olympics, Lounge events are expected to attract hundreds of artists, athletes, local families and literature fans alike.
Organisation: 2Funky Arts
rickin@2funkyarts.co.uk, 0116 2220639, www.2funkyarts.co.uk,
Venue: The Lyric Lounge, The Y Theatre, 7 East Street, Leicester, LE1 6EY
Tickets: Tickets from £3 Buy tickets from the Y Box Office 0116 255 7066 www.ytheatre.co.uk
Igniting Ambition Festival
Date: 25th July
Timings: 6.30-10.00pm
This year's Igniting Ambition in the East Midlands showcase festival is being launched over Open Weekend on Saturday 25 July with a spectacular music and carnival performance being created by Mahogany Arts and the Philharmonia for the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony in Leicester, funded by the Legacy Trust UK and Find Your Talent.
Organisation: Leicester City Council
ranjan.saujani2@leicester.gov.uk, 0116 252 8912, www.oneleicester.com
Venue: See www.oneleicester.com for more information
Tickets: See www.oneleicester.com for more information
One Leicester, One Healthy Day.
Date: 26th July 2009
Timings: 11.00 am to 6.30 pm.
Family friendly Health Festival.- chance to get active, become fitter, eat better and lead a healthier lifestyle. Arrive by bicycle, on foot or by bus to watch or join in. Get a free health check, meet street doctors, health support and advice. Cycle races, organised walks, BMX demonstrations,competitionsand events all day.
Organisation: Leicester City Council
Shaun.Miles@leicester.gov.uk, 0116 2526713, www.oneleicester.com,
Venue: Leicester City Centre - Humberstone Gate and Gallowtree Gate, LE1
Tickets: Free
LINCOLNSHIRE
Two London 2012 Open Weekend events:
SO 09
Date: 24th July 2009 – 25th July 2009
Timings: Friday 24th - 18.30-23.30 Saturday 25th - 10.00-22.30
The SO'09 festival takes place on 24th & 25th July 2009, with a whole host of activities taking place including a Big Top in Tower Gardens, hosting excellent comedy and caberet performances and community activities including circus skills and clowning workshops, an Opera performance in Embassy Theatre which will be relayed onto a big screen on the beach and a pyrotechnic spectacular entitled 'Full Circle' delivered by internationally renowned company 'The World Famous'.
Organisation: East Lindsey District Council
clare.freeman@e-lindsey.gov.uk, 01507 329437, www.e-lindsey.gov.uk,
Venue: Tower Gardens Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE25
Tickets: N/A
Open Weekend-Games through the Ages
Date: 25th July 2009
Timings: 10.00-16.00pm
To mark the second Cultural Olympiad Open Weekend Event Lincolnshire County Council -Culture and Adult Education will be holding a Games Event at The Collection. In keeping with the spirit of the Olympics and to reflect the core values of The Olympics and Paralympics-the event will encourage intergenerational play amongst families, fair play amongst young people and forge new friendships and alliances amongst local communities.The Collection will be turned into a games arena for the event and include games throughout the ages from Ancient Greeks to Victorians and from games grandparents played to new technologies. The Nintendo Wii consol will be used to encourage a younger audience as well as intergenerational play amongst families.
Organisation: Lincolnshire County Council-The Collection
openweekend@lincolnshire.gov.uk, 01522 550952, Lincolnshire County Council,
Venue: The Collection, Danes Terrace, Lincoln, LN2 1LP
Tickets: Free EntryBooking advised but not essential for some games.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Three London 2012 Open Weekend events:
Corby East Midland International Pool
Date: 24th July 2009
Timings: 10.30am - 12.30pmPublic use from 2.30pm
Opening of the new £20m Corby East Midlands International pool kicks off a weekend of events celebrating the opening and the weekend of participatory sporting events
Organisation: Corby Borough Council
chris.stephenson@corby.gov.uk, 01536 464042, www.corby.gov.uk,
Venue: Corby East MidlandsInternational Pool, George Street Corby, NN17 1QB
Tickets: see local press or website www.corby.gov.uk for further details
The Corby Run 2009
Date: 25th July 2009
Timings: 11-2pm
The Corby Run 2009 will be at 11am - 2pm at the Rockingham Triangle Stadium, Rockingham Road, in Corby. Open to all ages and abilities. There will be a fun run and timed mile events.
Organisation: Corby Borough Council
kye.bishop@corby.gov.uk, 01536 464047, www.corby.gov.uk,
Venue: Rockingham Triangle Stadium, Rockingham Road, Corby, Northants, NN17 2AE
Tickets: Please ring 01536 464212
British Dressage Event
Date: 26th July 2009
Timings: 8.30 am - 5.30 pm
A British Dressage affiliated competition
Organisation: Moulton College
Lucy.evetts@moulton.ac.uk, 01604 491131
Venue: Moulton College Equestrian Centre, Gate 4 Pitsford Road, Moulton, Northampton, NN3 7QL
Tickets: Free entry for spectators
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Four London 2012 Open Weekend events:
Proms in the Park
Date: 25th July 2009
Timings: 4pm - 9pm
Bask in the warmth of a summers' afternoon and take in a wonderfulling rousing programme of Proms favourites and British-themed light classics. The afternoon will kick-start with a jazz performance from 4pm, followed by the main show by Nottingham Concert Band from 7pm. Bring your picnic, deckchairs and sunhats...and of course you union flag to wave.
Organisation: Rushcliffe Borough Council
arts@rushcliffe.gov.uk, 0115 981 9911, www.rushcliffe.gov.uk,
Venue: Bridgford Park, Bridgford Road West, Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6AQ
Tickets: Free. No booking required.
Coins, Medals and Tokens Identification
Date: 26th July 2009
Timings: 1-4pm in the Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard
Bring in your coins, medals and tokens for identification by members of The Numismatic Society of Nottinghamshire, find out about collecting and see some of the prised specimens from the museum collections.
Organisation: Nottingham City Museums & Galleries/Nottingham City Council
anni@ncmg.org.uk, 0115 9153600, www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk,
Venue: The Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard, The Museum of Nottingham Life, Castle Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 1FB.
Tickets: Free entry to the museum for those with numismatic items for identification and YAC members. Others: £3.50 adults, children/concessions £2, Family ticket £8. Tickets include entry to Nottingham Castle Museums & Art Gallery.
Archaeological Stores Tours
Date: 26th July 2009
Timings: 11.30am and 2pm
Look behind the scenes at the work of the History & Archaeology Team and see some of the treasured items in the reserve collections, including material from Egypt, Greece and the internationally important Nemi collection from the Temple of Diana, just outside Rome.
Organisation: Nottingham City Museums & Galleries/Nottingham City Council
anni@ncmg.org.uk, 0115 9153600, www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk,
Venue: The Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard, The Museum of Nottingham Life, Castle Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 1FB.
Tickets: Adults £2, Concessions £1.50. YAC members free.
Nottingham Beach Sports Festival
Dates: 24th July to 26th July
Timings: 9:30am - 3:00pm
Nottingham Beach Sports Festival will involve young people representing each area of the city, competing in a variety of beach and Olympic sports. Plus lots of fun activities for the general public including climbing wall, rowers and cycling.
Organisation: Nottingham City Council
ian.holloway@nottinghamcity.gov.uk, www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk, 0115 9152782
Venue: Old Market Square, Old Market Square Nottingham, NG1 2BY
Tickets: There will be a tournament which is a closed competition, but all other activities are free.
Across the East Midlands
Nature Inspires: The London 2012 Open Weekend will shine a light on some of the wildlife gems managed by Natural England that are open all year round. Some sites will have butterflies performing aerial ballets and others birds providing stunning performances. In some places, it’s the land and rocks themselves which are on show. Information about the sites, which are spread around England, will be listed on Natural England’s website www.naturalengland under National Nature Reserves. Everyone is welcome to freely enjoy these special places and experience how creative and inspiring the natural environment is.
Organisation: Natural England. Check www.naturalengland.com for details
Notes to editors
About BP and its cultural support in the UK
Each year over 1.4 million people attend a BP supported event across the UK enabling them to enjoy the best in arts and culture.
We focus our support on long term partnerships with four world class institutions; The British Museum, The National Portrait Gallery, The Royal Opera House and Tate Britain.
About the London 2012 Inspire programme: The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport participation, education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities & skills. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in.