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Kent Celebrate Handover in Style
Were you one of the many people that celebrated London becoming the official 
Host City for the Olympic Games on Sunday 24 August?
For those local residents brave enough to venture outside their homes in heavy summer rain, certainly in the east of the County, we were treated to a host of specially planned events including the flying of 17 London 2012 Handover Flags, four street parties, free swimming across 18 pools within Kent, and one fantastic firework display!
Herne Bay Festival
Despite the weather, hundreds turned out to watch the glittering all-star closing ceremony live from Beijing on a giant TV screen erected in Herne Bay Memorial Park. Whilst David Beckham and Leona Lewis were wowing TV audiences, an Olympic Handover flag was raised in the park.
Throughout the day up to a thousand people joined in with free activities as part of Get Active: Feel Alive, a campaign aimed at promoting local sport and physical activity opportunities. Activities included fencing, dance, cricket, boxing, football and trapeze. Approximately 115 riders took part in the annual Tour d'Herne Bay, a family cycle ride along the coast, hosted by SPOKES, East Kent Cycle Campaign. Children and adults also took part in the Beijing Challenge, a specially commissioned obstacle course inspired by the Beijing Olympics.
Over 1300 people took advantage of the free swimming at Kingsmead Leisure Centre, Canterbury, Herons Swimming Pool in Herne Bay and at Whitstable Swimming Pool.
Dover
The original 1948 Olympic torch made a guest appearance on Dover seafront on Sunday.
To celebrate the Olympic Handover from Beijing to London, a range of free activities and entertainment was put on for the whole family. This included a Street Athletics event and free swimming, leading up to a giant firework display from the Prince of Wales Pier. The Dover flag was rowed ashore by 2012 Olympic hopeful Hannah Moon. However it was the 1948 Olympic torch which stole the show as it was ran from Dover to Deal by the Deal Tri Club and Dover Roadrunners.
Vista Leisure and other Trusts throughout the County offered free swimming for the whole day. Both Dover and Tides Leisure Centre in Deal had one of the busiest days ever with over 1500 visitors between the 2 pools. The leisure centres also offered free opportunities to play other sports including badminton, table tennis, squash and tennis.
Maidstone
People turned out in force for a festival of sports, arts and culture at Whatman Park in Maidstone. Adults and children got to see the Handover flag delivered by river and passed to Kevin Alderton, Kent Blind Skiier World Record Holder and hopeful 2010 Paralympian.
The taster sessions ran by local sports clubs proved to be particularly popular.
Thanet
The day saw the official opening of the new track facility at the Marlowe Academy and, again despite the inclement weather, will be fondly remembered by all those who attended, including 110 members of the local community, of all ages, shapes and sizes, who participated in the fun run, to mark the opening of the athletics facility in Thanet.
Across the day a further 150 people took part in public taster sessions in hurdling, pole vault, javelin, long jump or simply came down to have a look at the facilities.
In the afternoon, Dr Steve Ladyman MP for Thanet South raised the Olympic handover flag with a group of juniors from the local athletics club.
Tunbridge Wells
The third annual Summer Slam took place in Calverley Grounds in Royal Tunbridge Wells on Friday 29 August.
The annual event offered an afternoon of free activities for young people including sports, arts, dance and games.
Chris Bowles, who competed in the 1980 Moscow Olympics handed the Olympic 2012 flag over to James Martin, a 2012 Judo Olympic hopeful.
Around 2,500 people attended this year’s Summer Slam. Activities included Football with Charlton Athletic Football Club, a Beijing inspired obstacle course and a Samba drumming workshop to name a few.
Tonbridge and Malling
Olympic Bronze Medalist Ian Wynne joined the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling to raise the handover flag at Tonbridge Castle. In glorious weather (some parts of the County had it!), a crowd of 300 enjoyed a live band and afternoon tea on the lawns..
Ashford
Mayor of Ashford Cllr John Link joined Nick Boylan, Great Britain Swimming Captain for people with learning disabilities, to help raise the Olympic Handover Flag at the Civic Centre on Sunday.
Nick Boylan, who has recently returned from European Championships with five medals, is one of the most successful athletes in the Borough and he is also a sporting ambassador for ‘Active Ashford.’
Over 1000 people enjoyed the free swimming that was available at the Stour Centre over the weekend.
Swale
Swale’s Olympic theme began on Friday 22nd August, with the Beijing Challenge, closing the Fun in the Sun scheme that has kept children in Swale entertained over the Summer Holidays.
On Sunday 24 August, around 1,500 people took the plunge and enjoyed a free swim as part of the celebrations at the Swallows Leisure Centre, Sittingbourne, the Sheppey Leisure Complex, Sheerness, and at the Faversham Pools, Faversham.
To celebrate London becoming the host city for the next Olympiad, Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls presented Swale’s Olympic flag to the Mayor and Mayoress of Swale.
Thank you to all partners and public who were involved or took part in the day – it was a Handover Day to remember!
