Visioning Event Feedback

Feedback from Lauren Drewitt and Lori Jones re. the 2012 Torch Campaign conference:

Both students thoroughly enjoyed the day and felt privileged to be involved with such an event.  As two young people interested in sport/health/fitness, they were particularly grateful for the opportunity to reflect upon and discuss the need for more sporting/leisure facilities within the area.  They also strongly agreed that the possibility of the 2012 Torch visiting Dover is very exciting for the area and that it should have a clear impact and legacy.

Lauren liked the idea of creating as many opportunities as possible for people from different communities.  She said that ‘as many different people as possible should work together and be given the opportunity to celebrate in lots of different ways.’  She said that including live music would attract many people, and the carnival idea is ‘brilliant’.  She also said that any costs should be kept low so as to include all members of every community.

Lori liked the ideas which included using the area’s strengths, such as the cliffs, sea and historical sights.  She said that the cliffs epitomise Dover and that ‘it would be great to project images and slogans onto the cliff!’  Lori agreed that all plans should include as many different people as possible, including those with specific learning and physical needs.  Lori also liked the idea of thinking about the environment and therefore including lots of ‘Green’ sporting events in addition to those that are less environmentally friendly.

More generally, both students thought the chosen venue, catering and admin were all excellent!

They agreed and confirmed the transcripts.

Jeremy Single: Dover Grammar School for Girls

Prior to the event delegates were invited to write on their own Dover postcards of how they envisaged the Torch arrival follow this link to view a Flickr gallery of the postcards written

Text only version of postcards

Some quotes taken from letters of children from Priory Fields School who were invited to the Olympic Torch meeting

Josef Uher: Year 6 pupil

"Thank you for inviting us to the Olympic Torch meeting.  The Cruise terminal was lovely and the day was interesting.  We discussed ways of bringing the torch into Dover. We decided we would like the torch to come on the ferries with olots of fireworks and water and the Castle lit up with the Olympic torch rings.  The food was very nice we really enjoyed ourselves."

Jack Mackenzie: Year 6 pupil

"On the 20th of March there was an Olympic torch bid at the cruise terminal in Dover's port.  We had three different workshops and teamed up with a girls grammar and Capel.  In the first workshop we had to discuss what we wanted to do when we were older, we had 10 minutes for it.  The next workshop was how the torch was going to arrive and where.  Everyone had ideas on this matter, they were: It was called the festival of ferries, we had children on top of the white cliffs and they were shining torches on the boats, my idea was to have the Olympics rings shining on the castle.  Iwould also like to say the lunch, breakfast and refreshments were delicious and a big thank you for letting Priory Fields School come to the Olympic torch bid."

Emily Wheeler: Year 6 pupil

"All the activities and workshops were great and in 3 years time maybe our idea could be used in the Olympic torch!!!  The food was great and the staging and power-points were very entertaining and amusing and we would like to join you again in the next Olympic Torch  meeting.  We met new friends and adults too!!!!  Our ideas of the Olympic torch to be carried from Calais to Dover are: fireworks along the pier, tugs spraying water, Olympic rings above the ships.  We are grateful for being invited.  Thank you."

Shannon Hamshare: Year 6 pupil

"We had a fantastic day and there was excellent entertainment, there was delicious snacks, breakfast and lunch.  When we saw the Olympic torch coming in everyone thought that the man carrying the torch would fall and set the whole place alight!  But luckily he didn't.  All the children got to take a picture with the Olympic torch, and there was smiing faces.  The day was a great success!  Thank you for having us there!