NEWS archive:

Light Up Dover – spectacular fire show – Friday 26 September, 8.15pm

On Friday September 26 Dover Harbour will be the site of a free event Light Up Dover - a never-before-seen exciting celebration of Dover’s history and future, featuring internationally acclaimed Kent based fireworks company ‘The World Famous’, destined for big things! This event will form part of the national programme to celebrate the official launch of the Cultural Olympiad.

This event will provide stunning images of Dover Harbour alongside other celebrations across the weekend to mark the national launch of the Cultural Olympiad – the four year build up to the London 2012 Games. More details on the events across Saturday and Sunday will follow soon...

On the Friday evening the Harbour will be ‘lit up’ with a spectacular fire show – in 1948 Dover welcomed the Olympic Torch to Britain on its way to the London Games. In 2012 Dover hopes to welcome the Torch to Kent and the UK as it returns to London. This event is an important step in Kent’s Campaign for the Olympic Torch to enter the UK through Dover in 2012.

Dover Dover’s sea front will be animated by a magnificent pyrotechnic display, beginning with a moody meditation on the sea, culminating in great celebration of fire and the Torch – linking the sea, the harbour, and the White Cliffs. Nostalgic songs with a contemporary twist will be incorporated into a dramatic soundscape to accompany the show.

The show will start at 8.15pm and is free.

We would encourage you to use public transport and get there in plenty of time!

We look forward to celebrating with you at the sea front!

 

 

Open Up Dover - Weekend of FREE Activities – Saturday and Sunday 27 and 28 September

To follow on from the spectacular fire show on the Friday, and to continue the celebrations of the national launch of the Cultural Olympiad, Dover will ‘open up’ a range of buildings and sites, some usually closed to the public.

Collect a PINK BADGE from those sites marked pink / asterisk and the first 150 people to collect two badges will gain free entry to Dover Castle.

Choose from:

Buckland House * – former headquarters of the famous Conqueror paper company – this weekend reams of paper are replaced with rolls of film, follow this link for more details (pdf)

Charlton Arts Centre * – a unique creative space with retro feel studios, galleries, and project spaced, follow this link for more details (pdf)

Dover Castle – access to the Secret Tunnels is limited and is by guided tour, follow this link for more details

Dover Museum *  – Free on Saturday to locals, free to the rest of us on Sunday, come and explore this highly engaging reflection on Dover town life, follow this link for more details (pdf)

Grand Shaft and Daphne Oram * – free access Saturday only to these staircases linking cliff top to the town, follow this link for more details (pdf)

Louis Armstrong pub – legendary local venue, steeped in music history, follow this link for more details (pdf)

Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club *  – interactive installation by burlesque artists Club Shepway, follow this link for more details (pdf)

Samphire Hoe * – free guided three hour walk Sunday 28th, follow this link for more details (pdf)

Sing Up: Pass the Passion – for 7 – 14 year olds willing to sing their hearts out and record a professional recording of the Torch Song for Dover! Follow this link for more details (pdf)

Western Heights – Free access. Follow this link for more details (pdf)

 

 

Kent Swimmer returns from National Junior Swimming Championships

Kent's Alexandra Adams has just returned from the Disability Sports Events (DSE) National Junior Swimming Championships at Ponds Forge Sports Centre, in Sheffield. Alexandra entered 12 races, won 12 golds and achieved 9 new personal best times. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, Alexandra won 'Outstanding Achievement - Best Female' award, which includes a £200 grant!

Alexandra remains one of our hopefuls for the London 2012 Paralympic Games and her continued progress and development shows her promise for the future.

 

Kent Campaign - Progress Report 2007 Activities

Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games has published a progress report which shows, five years out from the Games, that 2012 is acting as a catalist to encourage new projects and initiatives across many sectors.

The document is a summary of what has actually happened already in each of the nine sectors of Sport, The Arts, Tourism, Economic Development and Regeneration, Skills and Training, Schools and Young People, Volunteering, Communications and Media and Transport.

The progress to date in the Sport sector includes the Launch of a Kent School Games; a biennial competitive event across 21 sports, potentially involving all Kent schools, researching and submitting to London 2012 all of Kent's potential venues for Pre-Games Training Camps, securing £250,000 sponsorship from P&O Ferries to help develop sport up to 2012, allocating grants to potential Olympians and Paralympians using funds secured from a number of other commercial sponsors and hosting a number of international events including the Archery World Cup and the World Series Handcycling Championships.

Progress in the Economic Development and Regeneration sector included the generation of the highest number of business registrations on the London 2012 business website for any area in the South East. Voluntary sector partners have developed a project which will recruit and place individuals to volunteer for one-off events. The School and Young People sector have created a project called '20 in 12' which will encourage any number and a diverse range of cultural and educational activities. The Tourism sector ran an extremely successful 'Big Day Out' with almost 7,000 members of the public taking part.

Follow this link to view the full document of achievements (pdf)

 

The British Paralympic Association, responsible for the country’s Paralympians’ identification, training and support, has launched a scheme to enable everyone to be part of the British Paralympic effort for the 2008 Beijing Games.

From Thursday 6 September 2007 you are able to ‘own a mile’ of the journey from London to Beijing. This will be represented through an interactive map that highlights important Paralympic sites and will give information on Paralympic history in a fun and engaging way.

To be part of this scheme you can either ‘Own your mile’ by making an online donation at www.justgiving.com/roadtobeijing or you can ‘Earn your mile’ by taking inspiration from Britain’s Paralympians and being sponsored to run, swim, row, skate, abseil or even space hop your mile!

By re-visiting the justgiving.com website you can keep track of progress as the British Paralympic squad makes its way to Beijing with updates and news.

Britain’s Paralympians are among the most successful in the world, and came second in the overall medals table at both Sydney and Athens. This success needs the best coaches, support and equipment available so competitors can do their best at Beijing in 2008 and again in London in 2012.

Kent and Medway are confident that up to eight paralympians from this county are on the road to Beijing 2008, with a further six looking very promising for our own home grown Games in 2012. Then there’s our likely Kent contender for the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver and we can see there is a winning future for our local Paralympians!

 

 

Get Involved in the Road to Beijing

The British Paralympic Association, responsible for the country’s Paralympians’ identification, training and support, has launched a scheme to enable everyone to be part of the British Paralympic effort for the 2008 Beijing Games.

From Thursday 6 September 2007 you are able to ‘own a mile’ of the journey from London to Beijing. This will be represented through an interactive map that highlights important Paralympic sites and will give information on Paralympic history in a fun and engaging way.

To be part of this scheme you can either ‘Own your mile’ by making an online donation at www.justgiving.com/roadtobeijing or you can ‘Earn your mile’ by taking inspiration from Britain’s Paralympians and being sponsored to run, swim, row, skate, abseil or even space hop your mile!

By re-visiting the justgiving.com website you can keep track of progress as the British Paralympic squad makes its way to Beijing with updates and news.

Britain’s Paralympians are among the most successful in the world, and came second in the overall medals table at both Sydney and Athens. This success needs the best coaches, support and equipment available so competitors can do their best at Beijing in 2008 and again in London in 2012.

Kent and Medway are confident that up to eight paralympians from this county are on the road to Beijing 2008, with a further six looking very promising for our own home grown Games in 2012. Then there’s our likely Kent contender for the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver and we can see there is a winning future for our local Paralympians!

 

 

Celebrating Five Years until the London Paralympic Games

The London 2012 Paralympic Games have been scheduled to start on a Wednesday to enable two full weekends of action. The day after the Opening Ceremony, Thursday 30 August, has been scheduled as 'Paralympic Day', where spectators will be encouraged to try out Paralympic Sports and watch athletes compete and train. There will also be cultural performing arts events taking place and the day will be a celebration of Paralympism.

A GamesMobility Service will be developed at the London 2012 Games, which will mean that spectators with a disability will be offered a Games-wide free service which enables them to book a ticket for a guaranteed accessible location. Arrangements can be made to provide a personal guide to the event.

 

Kent Event Team - Flexible volunteering for one off events - Project Manager
£23-25,000 (35 hours) + 6% pension

We are seeking a results driven dynamic self starter to manage this high profile volunteering project.

You will be able to shape and develop this new project which is a partnership between Kent County Council and the voluntary sector in Kent, aimed at building a network of volunteers to support a range of sport, leisure and cultural events across the county including the build up to the 2012 games.

You will be an entrepreneurial project manager, ideally with experience in the development of volunteering, with excellent marketing, communication and interpersonal skills. You will need to be prepared to travel as this role involves networking across the county.

If you would like to discuss this role, please contact Charlotte Osborn-Howard on 01622 677337.

Application packs can be downloaded from www.sevenoaksvolunteers.org.uk or email kentcove@sevenoaksvolunteers.org.uk or telephone 01622 677337

Closing date 8th February 2008, interviews 19th February 2008

 

 

Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games small grants fund

Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic movement, mirrored the classical Greeks in maintaining that the purpose of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games was to celebrate mind, body and spirit. London 2012 have encapsulated his thinking, particularly for young people, through three key attributes:

• Excellence
• Friendship
• Respect

The Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games has identified an allocation of funding to support cultural, creative and sports providers deliver activities and events that will demonstrate at least one of these attributes, and will support the Kent Campaign efforts to promote sporting and cultural activity in the county.

more information about the small grants programme...

 

'20 in 12'

In Kent we have an ambition to have all schools working collaboratively through Clusters (and Children's Trusts as they emerge), using education and learning to maximise young people's engagement with the London 2012 Games and helping them to fulfil their potential.

Through the '20 in 12' programme we will be working with Clusters to create a range of opportunities and challenges across the curriculum which inspire and capture the imagination of young people. Young people will lead in the development of creative and innovative learning activities linked to the values of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, which are:

• Courage
• Determination
• Equality
• Excellence
• Friendship
• Inspiration
• Respect

Discussions and consultation with the Children, Families and Education Directorate, and with a range of different Clusters and Cluster Chairs have been taking place, and further details on '20 in 12' - which represents 20 activities in 12 months - will be released before Easter.

 

Signing up to the Values day - 17th September 2008

Wednesday 17th September 2008 will see the Handover of the Paralympic Flag from the Mayor of Beijing to the Mayor of London. London 2012 are keen to mark this day with schools right across the country, and will announce sometime in the early summer about what they might wish to see happening.

In Kent, our Arts Colleges are working on a project to support on September 17th all 600 Kent schools creatively signing up to the Olympic and Paralympic Values - Courage, Determination, Equality, Excellence, Friemndship, Inspiration and Respect. We are seeking to create a Kent 2012 educational charter around these values, that each school will then sign at the time of the Handover Ceremony, and will record the moment in a variety of creative ways; dance, photography, poetry, painting…

This will then create a fantastic visual record of Kent's young people's commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Kent to host international athletes ahead of London 2012

Kent is said to have more sports facilities able to host international athletes ahead of the London 2012 games than any other county, following the announcement that 31 across Kent and five from Medway have been selected as potential pre games training camps.

The London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has chosen the facilities to be included in the guide to be distributed to teams during the Beijing Games later this year. Athletes in a range of sports can then choose to stay and train in Kent before competing.

Kent County Council's Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service carried out detailed assessments of Kent's facilities, put them forward to LOCOG and worked with them over the past year to ensure they meet the strict criteria to host athletes of international standard and have the correct facilities. The Kent Campaign for 2012 Games, led and managed by KCC, will continue to promote those which were not included, to prospective visiting countries via its website and publications.

KCC Cabinet Member for Community Services Mike Hill said:"I am really delighted that Kent has been recognised so highly as a county able to host athletes of Olympic and Paralympic standard and congratulations to all those who were chosen. We are reaching a very exciting stage in welcoming teams from a range of sports, visiting and training in Kent ahead of the Games. This opportunity will promote Kent on a global scale and bring a real boost to tourism, the local economy and result in sporting, educational and cultural exchanges."

Click this link to hear the BBC Radio Kent interview with Chris Hespe, Kent County Council's Head of Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service and Hugh Robertson MP, Shadow Sports Minister (requires Flash Player)

Which Kent Facilities are listed in the London 2012 Guide?

The Kent facilities included within the Guide to be issued by LOCOG to international Olympic Committees worldwide in Bejing in Summer 2008 are:

Ashford

• Chilham Park
• Great Chart Golf Course
• Julie Rose Stadium
• Stour Centre

Canterbury

• Christchurch University
• Canterbury Rhythmic Gymnastics Club
• Polo Farm Hockey Club
• St Lawrence Cricket Club
• Canterbury High School
• University of Kent at Canterbury

Dartford

• Arrow Riding Centre
• Dartford Judo Centre
• Princes Park Stadium

Gravesham

• Meapa Gymnastics Club
• Nursted Court Equestrian Centre

Sevenoaks

• Brands Hatch
• Penshurst Off Road Circuit
• Sevenoaks School

Tonbridge and Malling

• Angel Centre
• Tonbridge School
• Hadlow College

Thanet

• Margate Beach
• Marlowe Academy

Maidstone

• Maidstone Leisure Centre
• Pegasus Gymnastics Centre
• Sutton Valence School

Tunbridge Wells

• Bedgebury Pinetum
• Bewl Water
• Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre

Dover

• Deal Gymnastics Centre
• Fowlmead Country Park

Medway

• Gillingham FC
• Howard Table Tennis Centre
• Jumpers Rebound Centre
• Castlemaine Badminton Centre
• Medway Park
  

For more information about the facilities listed please visit the facilities map (currently 15 of the 36 are listed. In time all of the chosen faciltiies will be detailed).

 

School GAmes Warm Up in Kent

Around 400 schoolchildren were put through their paces in a mass warm-up to launch the first Kent School Games in November.

Pupils from primary, secondary and special schools came together for an energetic warm up followed by demonstrations of a range of sports to showcase the activities which will be taking place during the county heats of the Kent School Games organised by Kent County Council and sponsored by P&O Ferries.

The county heats will include sports such as athletics, basketball, cricket, netball, golf, swimming and football culminating in the grand finals in 2008.

World, European and Paralympic athletics champion Danny Crates came along to give his support to the event and spoke about his sporting career. After losing an arm in an accident, Danny became the only amputee to play club rugby and later turned to athletics. In the 1998 World Championships, Danny reached the 400m final and won silver in the 4 x 400m relay event in a new European record time. In the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, he gained a bronze in the 400m. Danny also won the European 400m title. Danny is now an 800m runner and has set a new world outdoor record.

As well as the Kent School Games, the Disability Schools’ event (previously Kent Youth Disability Games) will showcase Paralympic sports and both competitions will feature inclusive activities for everyone.

Competitors of all ages between 7 and 16 will be taking part and there will be mini versions of the sports including Tag Rugby, Kwik Cricket and Tri-Golf for the younger pupils.

The Kent School Games will take place again in 2010 and the aim is to encourage as many young people as possible to enjoy participating in sport and to create a long-term legacy for Kent from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by helping them to appreciate the benefits of taking part in regular sports activities.

KCC Leader Paul Carter who launched the event by passing the first baton said:

"This is the first time a local authority has organised and run an event of this kind and I hope that Kent's young people and schools will be inspired and motivated to participate in this exciting new countywide Games. I have been delighted to see the enthusiasm with which the Games has been embraced by schools and pupils and with the Olympics and Paralympics not far away, the Kent School Games may identify the champions of the future."

Check this website for future news about the Games.

 

OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE KENT CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2012 GAMES STRATEGY

Over 200 people were joined by Dame Kelly Holmes CBE and young sports stars of the future for the official launch of the Kent Strategy for the 2012 Games (Monday 14 May) at the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood.

It was a celebration to mark the progress so far and to launch Kent’s overall plan of how the County can and will benefit from the Olympics and Paralympics coming to London in five years time.

The action packed evening included a presentation about the Strategy and the Kent Campaign and a question and answer session with Kelly Holmes and potential young Olympians and Paralympians from Kent. Lord Sebastian Coe also gave his support for the Kent Campaign via a video link.

Elite table tennis and judo stars (ability and disability) demonstrated their sports and a plasma screen showed interviews with Kent residents, businesses and athletes giving their views on the Games. Guests were also entertained by the talents of the North Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra.

The Kent Strategy is the result of the work by members of the Kent Coordinating Group, representing a cross-section of organisations, who work to implement the aims of the Kent Campaign and the public’s responses following the draft strategy going live at the end of 2006.

The Strategy outlines the vast range of opportunities available to the county being so close to London and how with early planning, organisation and the identification of such opportunities, Kent and its residents can benefit long into the future as a result of the Games.

To view the strategy please follow this link (pdf)

 

KENT WELCOMES WORLD-CLASS SPORTS

2007 marks a sporting year to remember for Kent as it welcomes the Archery World Cup, the World Series Handcycling race and Tour de France.

Kent County Council through its Sports, Leisure and Olympics Unit believes that having major sports events in the County not only inspires and enthuses people to take up physical activity, but shows the world that Kent is well placed to take advantage of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is envisaged that as 2012 approaches, more nations will want to train in Kent and hold their international events in the County.

The Archery World Cup sees the international spotlight firmly on the host town Dover and during the event, there will be the opportunity to try-out the sport and to find out about archery clubs in Kent.

To encourage more visitors to the area, boost the local economy and give residents the chance to feel part of the Olympics, work is also underway through the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games to encourage the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games to allow the Olympic torch to again enter Britain at Dover, as it did for the 1948 Games.

On 7 July, the UK stage of the World Handcycling Federation race will take place at the largest purpose built racing track in the UK, part of an £18.7million regeneration project at the Fowlmead Country Park near Deal. KCC, through its Outdoor Pursuits Disability Project, attracted the race to the area to create a lasting legacy for disabled sport in the county.

The following day, the world famous Tour de France cycle race will visit Kent passing through Dartford, Gravesham, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Shepway and on to the finish in Canterbury. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to come to the region to watch the race, helping to boost the local economy.

KCC Cabinet Member for Communities Mike Hill said: “Being chosen to host such high profile events is a tremendous honour and we are pleased that Kent’s residents will have the chance to experience the thrill of seeing top-level sportspeople competing on home soil. We recognise the benefit to the county of welcoming such events and highlighting all that Kent has to offer.”

FILMMAKING PILOT PROJECT

Kent County Council and Screen South are working in partnership with Kidnet to launch a filmmaking pilot with Kent children. As one of the activities of the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games, the films the children are producing are based around what an Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 will mean to them. The children involved will then become part of an international community of young story tellers.

The first group of children working with Kidnet are from Channel School (pictured left to right: Atlanta Wiggs, Victoria Hogben, Hayley Langton, Rosie-Kate Hobbs, Grant Hines, Dexter Gondongwe, Stephanie Cole, Zannat Miah, Toby Moore, teacher Miss Vanderhoeven, on camera Liam Staveley and on boom Adelaide Chitanda) who began filming on Wednesday 21st March. Young people from the Kent Youth County Council begin their Kidnet project on Saturday 31st and Canterbury High will begin theirs in May.

All young people will take part in the film making process from idea to edit. Each young person will first make an OK Solo film – a simple film about themselves and their friends. The groups will them make a film about the Olympics and Paralympics, what it means to them and others around Kent. They are planning a visit to the viewing tower and an interview with Dame Kelly Holmes. The films will be made by the young people themselves with the support of a local film maker Mick Etherton of Beeping Bush who will guide them through the film making process from start to finish. The films will first be shown at the Official launch of the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games on 14th May. The films will also be shown at the Kent Show, and online at www.kentsport.org/london2012 and www.kidnetok.com for all to see.

The founder of the modern day Olympic movement stated that The Olympics were “the wedding of sport and the arts”. With this as a starting position, The Kent Campaign’s Arts Sectoral Task Group are keen to encourage participation and excellence and to use this unique opportunity for young people in Kent to work together and explore their ideas of what the Olympics and Paralympics mean to them. The films will provide the opportunity to begin communicating with and potentially, working with, other young people from across the world.

 

OLYMPIC HISTORY AGAIN FOR KENT?

The 28 March marked 1,948 days until the London Games in 2012 and in 1948, Kent was proud to welcome the Olympic torch when it arrived in Dover on its way to London.

The Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games, hosted by Kent County Council working in partnership with a range of Dover agencies hopes to see local history repeated again by welcoming the torch and giving today’s residents an Olympic memory in their lifetime.

In 1948, the torch came aboard the HMS Bicester from Calais after being carried across Europe, and Chief Petty Officer and sportsman Herbert Barnes was the first person to receive it on British soil when it arrived in Dover.

A total of 1,416 runners were involved in the relay and the torch continued on its journey through Kent, passing through Canterbury, Charing, Maidstone and Westerham on the way to Wembley for the official lighting of the flame.

There is already strong enthusiasm from Dover Town Council, Dover Pride and MPs Hugh Robertson, Derek Wyatt and Gwyn Prosser for the torch to again enter Britain at Dover.

KCC Cabinet Member for Community Services Mike Hill said: “It would be a tremendous honour for the county to welcome the Olympic torch again and provide an opportunity for Kent’s residents to support the Olympics and see the torch carried through their home towns to start the 2012 Games.”

Double Olympic gold medal winner and Patron of the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games Dame Kelly Holmes added: “Dover would be a fantastic choice to welcome the Olympic flame to Britain. Its location and its history in respect of a London Games are unrivalled.”
The decision on the torch is expected in 2009.

 

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AROUND THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

Businesses across Kent are being encouraged to register now on the website of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games / Olympic Delivery Authority.

Registration is free, and by registering you will automatically be given access to the national Business Opportunities Network that is being created as a web based portal: providing information that matches your profile on

major developments
new tender opportunities
and business events.

Your registration commits you to nothing (other than receiving email alerts on the above) and you are asked to register according to whether you are in

Agricultural and land services
Environmental services
Manufacturing services
Recycling and community services
Utilities provision
Construction
Retail and catering
Leisure
Transport
IT and telecommunications
Professional services
Real estate, renting and business services
Communication and public relations
Recreational, creative, cultural and sporting activities
Broadcasting
Human resources
Materials
Security provision
Transport
Other

Registration will then also provide you with access to the South East’s Business Opportunities Network, that will be launched this spring, and will consist of three tiers of support for businesses that might have any interest in tendering for a Games contract

Tier 1 – this tier is free, and provides tailored information for your sector
Tier 2 – this tier is expected to be subsidised, and will be a diagnostic tier for businesses to take forward their interest in a Games contract
Tier 3 – this tier will provide dedicated support (through Business Link Kent) to businesses who are realistically committed to bidding for a Games contract, whether as a major contractor or sub-contractor. There will be no initial charge for working with Business Link to agree an action plan for your individual business, but after production of this plan, interested businesses will incur a fee for further dedicated support

Business Link Kent have been contracted by the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) to provide further help and advice, and can be called on 0845 600 9 006, www.businesslinksoutheast.co.uk

 

KENT WELCOMES OLYMPIC SPORTS STARS

Kent is gearing up to host international top-level sports teams competing in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Kent Coordinating Group, set up by Kent County Council to ensure the county benefits from the Games, submited a document in January, to Olympic officials highlighting those facilities available for training ahead of the Games.

The London Olympic Committee’s Pre-Games Training Camps Guide will include centres suitable for international teams and there is a strong possibility that Kent’s facilities will be included in the completed guide for use by Olympic and Paralympic teams from around the world.

The Kent Coordinating Group, working in partnership with the borough and district councils has identified over 100 possible facilities and The London Olympic Committee will make the completed Guide available in 2008.

KCC Cabinet Member for Community Services Mike Hill said: “We are at an exciting stage in helping Kent benefit from the Games. We already host some international teams keen to use our facilities and train with our athletes and the number of centres which meet the strict criteria highlights the strong position we are in to get involved. Hosting international visitors also brings financial benefits to local services and businesses and helps the whole county feel part of the Games.”

Document attached shows those facilities put forward for consideration to the London Olympic Committee by KCC’s Kent Coordinating Group (pdf).

For more information on the Kent Campaign please check this website regularly

 

SWIMMING TO SUCCESS

A visually impaired swimmer from Maidstone has won nine gold medals at the Disability Sports Events (DSE) National Junior Swimming Championships in Sheffield.

At just 13 years old, Alexandra Adams from Longham Copse, Downswood swept the board representing the South East in the visually impaired categories and set a personal best for the 50m Freestyle. She competed alongside 200 other young disabled athletes aged 10-18 years old.

Alexandra was the youngest Kent athlete to be awarded £2,500 funding support in 2006 from the Kent Paralympian Fund; supported by Kent County Council’s Sports Development Unit and The Denne Group. The aim of the Fund is to pay for necessary preparation, equipment and training to help those disabled athletes who have the ability to be possible competitors at the London Paralympic Games in 2012 achieve their goals. Alexandra was one of six disabled athletes to be awarded support from the Kent Paralympian Fund last year.

KCC Cabinet Member for Community Services Mike Hill said: “Alexandra is really making a name for herself as a top-level swimmer. She is also a member of our FANS scheme (www.kentsport.org/perf_ex_fans.cfm) for elite athletes and we are delighted to offer our congratulations and support to her as she continues to compete at national and perhaps Paralympic level in the future.”

2012 DAYS UNTIL LONDON 2012

23/01/2007

 

KENT LAUNCHES ITS CAMPAIGN "BROCHURE"

Delivering an accessible introduction to the purpose and nature of Kent's Campaign for the 2012 Games campaign, the brochure outlines how the 2012 Games will be delivered by the central agencies, and how Kent will be working to ensure our communities are part of the excitement.

The brochure therefore includes details on the structure of the campaign and on the various sector groups that have been identified to help spearhead Kent’s quest to truly maximise our opportunities and legacy from the 2012 Games, through a sector by sector approach.

Dame Kelly Holmes MBE, patron of Kent's Campaign for the 2012 Games, and Mike Hill OBE, Cabinet Member at Kent County Council with responsibility for the Olympic and Paralympic opportunities, have both written about their support for Kent’s campaign, and within the brochure can be found useful contacts for anyone interested in being part of Kent's Campaign bid to be the top county in the country.

The new Kent Campaign brochure is now available for download. Please click here (pdf). It can also be obtained in hard copy by emailing enquiries@kent2012.org

 

KAFEC CHAIRMAN TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE SKILLS AND TRAINING WORKING GROUP

We are pleased to confirm that Malcolm Bell, Principal of North West Kent College, and Chairman of the Kent Association of Further Education Colleges (KAFEC), has agreed to chair the Kent Capaign Skills & Training Sectoral Task Group.

Having worked in Further Education for over 30 years, Malcolm has played a key role in a range of partnership initiatives and developments in this time, and has a keen understanding and interest in developing opportunities across the sector, and the county. With a stated aim to ensure Kent’s skills and training partners, and customers, are “well informed and well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities” , the first meeting of this group will be convened for early September.

 

KENT'S CAPAIGN PARTNERSHIP, WHO ARE WE?

Kent's Campaign for the Games is the informal partnership of interested partners across the county, including Medway, looking to work together to maximise the opportunities around the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Established back in February 2005, Kent 's Camapign played a key role in raising profile and national support for the London bid to host the Games. Since London's success on July 6th 2005, Kent 2012 has been refocusing on becoming a partnership of delivery, moving on from its previous incarnation as a "promotional" partnership.

Kent's Camapign focus, now, is very much to maximise the benefits and legacy to Kent from the Games by

• promoting the vision and direction of Kent's Campaign for the 2012 Games, and each of its constituent sectors
• detailing, by sectoral area, how this programme will be delivered, including ambition, measurable outcomes, milestones, timescales, lead partners and processes
• providing for local partners and organisations a framework and catalyst for local activities

We are very proud to have Dame Kelly Holmes, OBE, as our patron.

Our Kent Camapign for the 2012 Games strategy will be out for consultation in the autumn of 2006, with a launch in December 2006. Please click here to see the membership of Kent 2012's Olympic and Paralympic Coordinating Group.

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KENT CLINCHES GOLD

Kent congratulates London on their successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and looks forward to welcoming Olympic and Paralympic teams to prepare for the Games. Olympic teams can be provided with high quality venues and equipment for training and preparation, medical support and access to sports scientists, translation services, security and transport arrangements.

For more details on what Kent can offer you, please view the rest of our website or contact us

Above all, you'll be guaranteed a friendly welcome from Kent - where people are passionate about sport.

‘Kent has clinched gold,’ according to the partners driving the county’s economic development, tourism and sports development, following the exciting news that London is to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) followed months of lobbying by five cities across the world. London competed for the honour of hosting the Games against Paris, the bookmakers favourite to win at odds of 1-to-5, as well as Madrid, Moscow and New York.

As a result of the decision, Kent is now poised to create thousands of new jobs and welcome many thousands of visitors, bringing an economic windfall for the county when the 200 nations competing in the Olympics and the 130 taking part in the Paralympics head for London.

Commenting on London’s victory, Cllr Alex King, KCC Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “The arrival of the world’s largest sporting event will have a very positive impact on Kent, creating some 30,000 temporary jobs and will be a boost for many businesses.

“By 2012 Kent will offer excellent opportunities not only to the athletes and support staff during their final preparations for the Games, but also for the visitors, who - thanks to the high speed domestic rail services and improved road network - will be well placed to use Kent as a base prior to the Games.”

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, Chief Executive of Kent Tourism Alliance, added: “The experience of Sydney and Athens both suggest that the tourism benefits of hosting the Games ripple out through a country and continue for many years. The 2012 Games gives Kent an excellent opportunity to promote what it has to offer as a visitor destination on the world stage, alongside those of London which will be minutes away by train.”

Following the IOC announcement, KCC has unveiled a website – www.kent2012.org.uk – to act as a shop window for Kent & Medway, providing each of the 202 National Olympic Committees with information on what Kent has to offer their athletes in terms of sporting facilities. The website will be supported by a targeted campaign using a brochure and DVD aimed at National Olympic Committee members.

Chris Hespe, who leads Kent County Council’s Sports Development Unit, said: “Feedback from London 2012 and Sport England would suggest that Kent is ahead of the game in recognising the economic and sporting impact that the Olympics can have on an area, and the partnership driving Kent forward is a strong one.”

The potential economic impact of the Olympics has also not gone unnoticed by local residents. In a recent survey of the county’s residents, undertaken by Kent County Council, nearly 70% of those questioned believed Kent’s tourism industry would benefit and the majority of respondents thought Kent would reap the economic benefits of London hosting the Olympics.

London’s hosting of the Olympic Games has also been acknowledged by Locate in Kent, the agency responsible for attracting businesses to the area. Paul Wookey Chief Executive said: “With the eyes of the world on Britain, there will be a positive knock-on effect in terms of a raised profile for Kent which we believe will bring more international companies to the area attracted by or close proximity to London and mainland Europe.”

Organisers anticipate that 70,000 of the world’s press will cover the event, and the Kent partners suggest that 10,000 will use Kent as their base, which will be worth an estimated £2 million to the local economy.

The Kent partners believe that the county will provide more than 10,000 volunteers in the run up to and during the Games, which according to Chris Hespe will be: “A brilliant experience for them and provide a ‘voluntary workforce’ for Kent & Medway”.

 

 

Kent Joins In

A buzz went round the London 2012 Roadshow as Steve Backley sat down at the rowing machine strength test. He did not disappoint as he completed his strokes before you could say ‘three times Olympic medallist’. Backley was not the only entertainment as the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games hosted the London 2012 Roadshow at this years Kent Show. Stunt cyclists, basketball tricksters and Bhangra dancers, amazed the crowds. As if that was not enough, double Olympic gold medallist and patron of the Kent Campaign, Kelly Holmes made a surprise visit to sign autographs.

The theme of the Roadshow is ‘Join In’ and where London asked, the Kent public delivered. Whether it was learning to play sitting volleyball (a Paralympic sport) or taking part in African dance workshops, the area was alive with activity. On the 2012 Bus visitors were encouraged to make a 2012 pledge and commitments ranged from winning Olympic gold to leaving the car at home.

Inside the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games marquee, guests could slow the pace down. Happy youngsters sat on beanbags drawing the opening ceremony, whilst their parents took turns holding an Olympic Torch from 1948 London Olympics. We aim to repeat history in 2012, bringing the Olympic Torch Relay back to Kent. For those inspired by all of this, there was a chance to register to be a volunteer at the 2012 Games – over 100 local residents did so over the weekend.

As the London 2012 bus drove away and with 5 years still to go, it was clear that Kent’s public will take every opportunity to ‘join in’ and ensure that our County gets the full benefit of having the Games on our doorstep.

 

Drawing Away From the Pack

Had you walked in to the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games marquee at the Kent Show, you would have come across a hive of activity in one corner. Over the weekend dozens of local youngsters put crayon to paper as they were inspired to let their imaginations run wild and draw what the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games might look like, when it comes to London in 2012.

Whilst this competition might not have had the pressure of an Olympic 100m final, it certainly had the enjoyment. The display board full of colourful entries was an indication that Kent’s young talent is not just restricted to sport. Indeed the Olympic and Paralympic Games have always brought together sport and culture. Whilst, medals are no longer awarded for culture, this tradition continues and will come to the UK, following the Beijing 2008 Games, with the launch of the Cultural Olympiad, which will run from 2008 until 2012.

Back at the Kent Show the crowds were getting a taster of what the Cultural Olympiad might have to offer with African and Sikh dance workshops from local groups Music for Change and Jugnu Bhangra.

Selecting the winners (left) from all the drawings was a difficult task. In the end 9 local youngsters beat off stiff competition to win the gold silver and bronze prizes in each of our three age groups. The gold prizes went to Sophie (6), Alfie (10), and Jack (11).

 

 

 

Maidstone resident, Robin Walton, has been talking with the Kent Support Office for the 2012 Games about his experiences as an 18 year old athlete at the 1948 London Olympic Games.

Former Maidstone Harriers athlete, Mr Walton said, ‘The 1948 Olympic Games gave me a wonderful opportunity to see in action the world’s athletes I had read about in newspapers.’

Mr Walton himself had been a successful amateur athlete, being the 1947 Army Cadet cross-country champion and the 1947 half-mile Kent champion. As a keen runner and sportsman he decided to pay his 3s. 6d. for the ’48 Opening Ceremony and the chance to see his sporting heroes and acquire the odd autograph or two.

Mr Walton recounts how he travelled to the Games by train, sitting side-by-side with members of the US team. Seeing his chance, he approached the US long-jumper Willie Steele, asked for his autograph and agreed to carry his bags in return. At the same time he also saw Harrison Dillard (who went on to win the 100m) and got his autograph as well.

But pride of place went to the Czech army officer, Emil Zapotek. Mr Walton remembers seeing his hero run in the 10,000 metres and how the crowd cheered the name ‘Za-to-pek’ in time with each stride as he went on to win gold. Afterwards he waited outside the stadium for a chance to meet Zatopek, and when he saw him leaving the stadium on his own, he approached the runner and simply asked for his autograph.

Mr Walton remembers, "The lighting of the Olympic Flame was, to me, the most exciting event of the Opening Ceremony. I had thought Sidney Wooderson (world 1 mile champion of the 1930’s and 1940’s) would have carried the torch, but the athlete that entered the stadium to rapturous applause was an unknown Englishman."

"Our individual sprinters, Alistair McCorquodale and E. McDonald-Bailey, were in great shape and I had expected them to feature in the 100 metre final. They did us proud, coming 4th and 6th against the best sprinters in the world from the USA." Reflecting upon the 1948 Games, Mr Walton said, "I was impressed with the organisation, perfect facilities and a wonderful atmosphere with everyone cheering, even if it was just one person in a team."

 

 

London 2012's new branding- and local opportunity to use it

As most visitors to this site will be aware, last month London 2012 launched their new branding, which received a less than glowing immediate reaction, but off the back of that, dominated the front pages of virtually all the national newspapers and media channels for several days. Priceless publicity!

To see the logo for yourselves visit www.london2012.com

The London 2012 Organising Committee must still raise the lion's share of £2bn of sponsorship to help them stage the Games, and therefore instructions around usage of the brand remain unchanged.

However, around thirty partners, such as the five London Boroughs who are staging Olympic/Paralympic competitions events, will have initial access to the brand, with so-called 'preferred bidders', made up of 1000 bids from local partners, will be able to use the brand from mid-2009. It is important to note that events/programmes/activities and NOT organisations themselves will have access to the brand. From 2010 a wider range of events will be given access, and in 2012 itself, London 2012 will produce a raft of logo templates that local partners can adopt to promote a wide range of activity.

If you are a Kent partner or individual with any query about how you can and cannot use the logo, please ring Stephanie Holt, Kent Manager for the 2012 Games, on 01622 605 051

 

Local Government and 2012: An introductory guide

A guide for local authorities on engaging with the opportunities of the 2012 Games has been produced by London 2012 working in partnership with the Local Government Assoication. Very much aimed at authorities, council departments, Members or officers new to 2012, the Guide provides a basic introduction to structures and general areas of opportunity.

Through the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games, Kent already has very strong local government engagement around 2012, and lead contacts are:

Ashford Borough Council - Mark Carty (Head of Cultural Studies) - mark.carty@ashford.gov.uk - (01233) 637311

Canterbury City Council - David Ford (Assistant Head of Culture and Communication) - david.ford@canterbury.gov.uk - (01227) 862 000

Dartford Borough Council - Stephen Jefferson (Regeneration Officer – Sport) - stephen.jefferson@dartford.gov.uk - (01322) 343 524

Dover District Council - Laura Corby (Assistant Leisure Services Manager) - lauracorby@dover.gov.uk - (01304) 821 199

Gravesham Borough Council - Adrian Hickmott (Sport and Recreation Manager) - adrian.hickmott@gravesham.gov.uk - (01474) 337 322

Kent County Council - Chris Hespe (Head of Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service) - chris.hespe@kent.gov.uk - (01622) 605002

Maidstone Borough Council - Trevor Gasson (Assistant Chief Executive) - trevorgasson@maidstone.gov.uk - (01622) 602 000

Medway Council- Bob Dimond - (Medway Manager for the 2012 Games) - bob.dimond@medway.gov.uk - 01634 338 238

Sevenoaks District Council - Caroline Lingham (Policy and Environment Manager) - caroline.lingham@sevenoaks.gov.uk - 01732 227 000Shepway District Council - awaiting confirmation.

Swale Borough Council - Lyn Newton (Tourism Development Officer) - lynnewton@swale.gov.uk - (01795) 417 420

Thanet District Council - Martyn Cassell (Sport Development Officer) - martyn.cassell@thanet.gov.uk - 01843 577 367

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council - Robert Styles (Chief Leisure Officer) - robert.styles@tmbc.gov.uk - 01732 876 160

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - Nigel Bolton (Head of Leisure Services) - nigel.bolton@tunbridgewells.gov.uk - 01892 526 121

Please follow this link to view the pdf document of LOCOG'S guidance for Local Authorities (pdf)

 

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Dates for your diaries – 24 August 2008 and 17 September 2008

24 August 2008 is a Bank Holiday Sunday. At around 2.45pm that afternoon, the eight minute handover ceremony from the Beijing Olympiad to the London Olympiad will take place as part of the much longer Beijing Olympics Closing Ceremony. Local communities across the UK are being encouraged to celebrate the handover, whether through community festivals, street parties, or whatever they choose! London 2012 will be contacting all local authorities to encourage them to do something to celebrate the event, whilst it is hoped that several major tourism attractions in Kent may also host celebratory events.

17 September 2008 is a school term Wednesday, and again at around 2.45pm an eight minute handover ceremony will take place as part of the Beijing Paralympics Closing Ceremony. In the UK the focus of the celebrations is expected to be around young people and schools, which is why the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games will be launching its 20 in 12 programme that day.

To discuss what your area or organisation might do on either or both of these days, please contact Stephanie.holt@kent.gov.uk in the first instance.

Image © Strange Cargo, by Brigitte Orasinksi

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Kent secures more Pre Games Training Camps nominations than any other county

Kent has more sports facilities able to host international athletes ahead of the London 2012 Games than any other county, following the announcement in early March that 31 venues across Kent and 5 from Medway have been selected as potential Olympic Pre Games Training Camps. This figure is greater than a number of regions, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has chosen the facilities to be included in a guide that will be distributed to National Olympic Committees during the Beijing Games later this year. Athletes in a range of sports can then choose to stay and train in Kent before competing.

Kent County Council's Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service carried out detailed assessments of Kent's facilities, put them forward to LOCOG and worked with the venues and with LOCOG consultants over the past year to ensure they met the strict criteria to host athletes of international standard and have the correct facilities. Kent County Council will continue to promote those which were not included, to prospective visiting countries via its website and publications.

The full list of Kent venues that will be featured in the Guide can be found by following this link

 

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Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games’ Small Grants Fund

This was launched in December 2007, to support cultural, creative and sports providers deliver activities and events that will demonstrate at least one of the Olympic and Paralympic values, and will support the Kent Campaign efforts to promote sporting and cultural activity in the County.

Any activity or event being put forward for consideration should involve or include young people, defined as aged under 18, or up to 25 if involved in full time education, for the purposes of this fund.

So far, grants totalling £5,090 have been awarded to Dover Rowing Club, North West Kent Racial Equality Council, Skillnet, St. Mary’s CofE Primary School, Quex Museum House and Gardens, Jugnu Bhangra, and to Stour Valley Arts. As these projects are delivered, full details will be featured on our this website.

The fund remains open for applications - please follow this link for more details.

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Kent's ambitions for Dover to welcome the Olympic Torch to the UK in 2012

Kent County Council and the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games have been seeking to ensure that Dover is the welcome point for the Olympic Torch when it first reaches the UK's shores in 2012.

Reasons why:

• Dover was the welcome point for the Olympic Torch when London last hosted the Games in 1948. It would be fantastic to recreate this part of British Olympic history in 2012.
• Dover is the natural gateway between mainland Europe and the UK. A visitor's first and last impressions of the UK are formed here.
• The white cliffs are recognised by international audiences as Britain's second most famous landmark worldwide. The Torch's arrival at Dover would therefore reinforce international interest and media profile in the 2012 Games.
  Dover has experience of hosting international sports events, and summer 2007 saw the World Archery Grand Prix, with Lord Sebastian Coe as Patron.
• Dover is undergoing significant regeneration. The chance to welcome the Torch provides an important opportunity to support Dover's renaissance and reflects the importance of the 2012 Games as a catalyst for regeneration.

To continue to create our bid, we are now planning;

• 'Dover and the Olympic Torch - a Young People's Conference' is an event being planned by Dover schools in partnership with the Campaign and with Creative Partnerships, to take place on April 24th.
• An event around Easter time to bring together the very best creative minds in the County and the Region, to explore what the arrival might look like.
• A promotional DVD for our bid.
• An ambitious and visionary event on August 24th to coincide with the Handover Ceremony of the Olympic Flag from Beijing to London.

Partners already supporting our bid include Kent Campaign Patron Dame Kelly Holmes, Derek Wyatt MP (Chairman of the All Party London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Group, Member of Parliament for Sittingbourne and Sheppey), Hugh Robertson MP (Shadow Minister for Sport, Member of Parliament for Faversham and Mid-Kent), Gywn Prosser MP (Member of Parliament for Dover), Dover Pride, Dover District Council, Dover Town Council, Kent County Council, Tourism South East, Screen South, and Culture South East.

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