The 2012 Olympics - in Newcastle and the North East

[Ken O'Heed]

The following text from Gateshead Council website:-


"The Olympic Flame is coming to Gateshead on Saturday 16 June 2012 and we want you to help us celebrate!

You’ll be able to see the Olympic Torch Relay as it passes through the following places:

06.40 - The Sage Gateshead – watch as the torch abseils down this iconic building at the start of its journey. Best viewing point - Newcastle Quayside.

07.15 - Line the streets and celebrate as the torch passes through Hillgate, Bridge Street, Oakwell Gate, Eastway, A167 Gateshead Highway, Park Lane and Felling bypass.

07.35 - Gateshead International Stadium – a unique chance to view the Olympic Torch as it completes a lap around the track, free entry. Best viewing point – Tyne and Wear Stand.

12.00 - Angel of the North - photo opportunity as the Torch visits one of the North East’s most famous iconic landmarks. Best viewing point – on the grass.

12.10 – 12.20 - Watch the torch from the Angel of the North on Durham Road as it passes through Chowdene on streets Hertford and Trafford and on to Smithy Lane.

13.34 – 13.48 - Line the Streets from Blaydon Leisure & Primary Care Centre along Shibdon Road to the exit for A695"

Need a very early alarm call to get to the quayside


See following links for route maps (from web page http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure%...rch-Relay.aspx)

Gateshead Quays Olympic Torch Relay Map

Low Fell and Chowdene Olympic Torch Relay Map

Blaydon Olympic Torch Relay Map

KEN

[Newcastle Historian]

Hadrian's Wall to be illuminated for Olympics
BBC Newcastle, Tyne & Wear News, 26th April 2012


A series of interactive giant LED balloons are going to illuminate the entire length of Hadrian's Wall as part of celebrations for the 2012 Olympics.

Called Connecting Light, it will use tethered weather balloons lit by internal LED lights to form a line of pulsating colours along the wall.

The installation will be live from Friday 31 August to Saturday 1 September and is being designed to be viewed all over the world using digital media.


Read More / See Video - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-17859073

[Newcastle Historian]

Olympic football tickets to go on sale
The Journal, April 29th 2012


London 2012 will put 1.4million tickets for the Olympic football tournament on sale from 11am on Monday, organisers have said.

The sales window will stay open until 11pm on Sunday May 6.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/pa-feed...#ixzz1tVCrcZXH

[Newcastle Historian]

Alnwick Castle Olympic torch relay tickets available today
by David Black, The Journal, May 3rd 2012


THOUSANDS of people are being promised a spectacular evening of music, dance and acrobatics when Northumberland celebrates the passing of the iconic Olympic torch through the county next month. Free tickets are available online from this morning for the two-hour live show which will be held in The Pastures below Alnwick Castle on the evening of June 14, the day on which the torch relay begins its journey through the North East.

About 10,000 people will be able to attend the event, which will culminate in one of the torchbearers lighting up an onstage cauldron to allow spectators to see the Olympic flame burning below the ancestral home of the Duke of Northumberland. Gates to The Pastures open at 4pm and the show starts at 5.30pm, with separate, 20-minute sections of it being provided by the three London Olympics presenting partners, Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

The programme includes a live performance by up-and-coming Jarrow indie-pop band Little Comets, an acrobatics show and a series of dance performances. These will be complemented by two,10-minute slots showcasing local entertainers.

Tickets for the event are free, but limited to eight per household.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1tnLPvBUo

[Newcastle Historian]

Olympic Poster Exhibition draws in visitors
Sunderland Echo, Friday 4th May 2012



The Olympic Poster display from the 1972 Munich Summer Games is drawing in the crowds at Monkwearmouth Station Museum.

The exhibition includes a collection of 19 of the original 26 posters dating back 40 years to the Munich games. Coun Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “This is a fantastic exhibition. It is remarkable to have 19 of the original 26 posters from the Olympics available to view, despite the fact that it took place 40 years ago.”

He added: “Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums has done a tremendous job of restoring the posters and we are delighted that we are able to showcase them to people in Sunderland. The exhibition has generated a fantastic level of interest.The posters were specially commissioned works by artists of the day, including David Hockney, Serge Paliokov, Oskar Kokoschka, Allen Jones and Max Bill, and they display strong, individual designs in a wide range of styles."

Christina Stephenson, conservation officer at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said: “The posters were in a relatively reasonable condition, but were still in need of conservation to repair and preserve them. All small tears and paper damage were repaired with delicate handmade Japanese paper, as it has a very long fibre and is flexible. To bond it, we used a gluten free wheat starch paste, which is reversible and invisible."

Posters have become an important part of the Olympic legacy, with every Olympic Games, since the Stockholm Games of 1912, having an official poster. More recent games have produced more than one poster and these have left a lasting legacy of their event.


Read More - http://www.sunderlandecho.com/lifest...tors-1-4515040

[Newcastle Historian]

Central Newcastle may get a giant
TV screen to show London Olympics
by Ruth Lawson, Evening Chronicle, May 18th 2012


A GIANT SCREEN, broadcasting a summer of sport, may be put up in Newcastle City Centre. City Council planners are recommended to give the go ahead to the 6.5m tall screen in the pedestrianised area south of Grey’s Monument for 15 weeks while the 2012 Games take place. It is hoped it will act as a focal point for sports fans who missed out on getting tickets to the London Olympics.

Harvey Emms, the council’s director of housing, planning and transport, said in a report: “This application proposes a short-term and temporary TV screen installation in association with a unique sporting and cultural event for the city. It is considered that the proposal will be a welcome facility providing a focus for civic activity for residents and visitors alike.”

The screen would be in place from June 1 until September 16 and would be turned on no longer than from 6am to midnight. Only one objection was lodged by a resident of nearby Central Exchange Buildings who was concerned about noise and suggested there are better locations such as Eldon Square. No issues have been raised by Regulatory Services and Public Protection and the report went on to state: “The proposal will clearly lead to a degree of noise associated with the broadcasting of sporting events. It will also undoubtedly be a destination attraction for city centre residents and visitors.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1vDrTnZ9b

[WilfBurnsFan]

Be good for Euro2012 too.

[Newcastle Historian]

Northumberland pupils join big dance for Olympics
by Kim Carmichael, The Journal, May 19th 2012


Pupils from Eastlea Primary School in Cramlington take part in the Big Dance 2012

A DANCE celebration brought the rich world of the Olympics to life as the torch relay arrived in Britain. From swimming and javelin, to basketball and sprinting, the pupils of Belsay First School reflected a myriad of sporting activity in a specially-choreographed performance. The Northumberland youngsters were among thousands around the globe taking part in the Big Dance 2012.

The events all followed the same Olympic-themed dance, created by Wayne McGregor CBE, resident choreographer at the Royal Ballet. It was also an attempt to break the world record for the largest simultaneous multi-venue dance, with performances taking place in over 1,000 schools throughout the UK and across Europe, the USA, South America, South East Asia, the Middle East and the Far East.

Belsay First School PE teacher Kim Lamb helped the youngsters perfect their routines ahead of yesterday’s dance. “The children loved it,” she said. “They really took it all on board. They’ve worked extremely hard, even taking the CDs home to practise their dancing.” Headteacher Lilian Harris said: “The Olympics are really important to the children. They’ve really got into the spirit of it.”

Guinness World Record judges will now review yesterday’s event to establish if the current record – held by the Netherlands, with 1,472 locations and 264,188 people dancing – has been beaten.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1vJ85PCzQ

[Steve Ellwood]

This news item from Newcastle City Council @ http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/news-sto...lame-newcastle

Stars set to shine at Evening Celebration to welcome Olympic Flame to Newcastle
Published date:
Mon, 21/05/2012 - 09:54

The Olympic Torch Relay Convoy will arrive in Newcastle upon Tyne on Friday 15 June at approximately 4:30pm and weave its way through the city where there will be a number of key locations with entertainment to welcome the Torch and cheer it on its way. The Relay will culminate in an amazing Celebration Event to be held on Newcastle’s Quayside at 7pm.

The Torch will be carried on to the Tyne Bridge where a Torch Bearer will zip wire it from the Tyne Bridge, over the river and down to Gateshead Quays.

The celebrations on the Quayside kick off from 4.30pm at a stage located at St. Ann’s Quay and will finish at approximately 8pm.

The Celebration will enable thousands of people to enjoy a variety of entertainment staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung - with support from Newcastle City Council.

Newcastle City Council will present two, ten-minute slots of locally programmed entertainment during the evening celebration.

The opening ten minutes will involve fifteen young people from Newcastle who will create a performance which will represent a journey exploring the shifts in culture of the Games - from the ‘modern’ Games in the 19th Century to the ‘contemporary’ Games – both Olympic and Paralympic, where we value Excellence and Determination as well as Equality.

The performance will be expressed through some truly spectacular movement combining Parkour, Dance and Circus-skills as well as friendliness and wit, for which Newcastle is renowned for.

The final 10 min slot will be a performance of JigHop, a performing ensemble mixing North East traditional tunes with hiphop urban culture, under the artistic direction of Kathryn Tickell.

The three Presenting Partners will also each provide 20 minutes of exciting and stimulating entertainment for the event. This will include Coca-Cola showcasing exciting up-and-coming live music acts including indie rock trio from Jarrow and Newcastle - Little Comets, Lloyds TSB bringing stunning acrobatic performances to the site and Samsung staging dance performances including winners of Sky‘s smash hit dance show ‘Got To Dance’ Chris & Wes and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalists Twist & Pulse.

Prior to and during the show, the audience will have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities courtesy of Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. These include having your photograph taken with the London 2012 Torch and other Olympic-related activities.

Towards the end of the three hour show, the last Torchbearer of the day in Newcastle, Will Harding, will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the event which will enable the Olympic Flame to be seen by the audience.

Henri Murison, Cabinet Member for Quality of Life, said: "Newcastle is proud to be a host council for the games, and our evening celebration on the Quayside will be a highlight of the build up to the Games. The talent we will have on show at the evening celebration will demonstrate all that is best about our city and our region. I know local people will be proud of their city on the night which will have a carnival atmosphere, and all those there will enjoy the show we will put on."

Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “The evening celebrations give the whole family a chance to share the excitement of the Olympic Games as we countdown to the Opening Ceremony.

“The event in Newcastle upon Tyne is set for an exciting line-up, including performances from talented local people who will give the celebration a distinct feel. I am looking forward to the series of 66 evening celebrations showing how diverse the UK’s cultural life is as the eyes of the world turn our way.”

James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola: “We are thrilled to be taking some of the nation’s best loved and most exciting up-and-coming musical talent on the road for an incredible 66 night tour to give young people across the country the chance to participate in the magic of London 2012. We’re encouraging everyone to join us in celebrating the Coca-Cola Future Flames who have carried the Olympic Flame through their communities by finding out more about their local events.”

Sally Hancock, Director, 2012 Partnership and Group Sponsorship at Lloyds Banking Group, said: "As the only National Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, we're encouraging everyone to celebrate with Lloyds TSB as the Flame passes their front door. To find out how you can join in the celebrations with Lloyds TSB in your community and how local residents at each evening celebration site can win tickets to London 2012, please visit www.lloydstsb.com/london2012”

Andy Griffiths, Managing Director, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “We are delighted to be supporting the 66 Evening Celebrations during the Olympic Torch Relay. Samsung’s ambition is to make London 2012 everyone’s Olympic Games and for these celebrations we have created opportunities for as many people as possible to take part in what we’re sure will be an unforgettable experience.”

Access to the staged area is limited to ticket holders. A ballot to apply for tickets opens on Monday 21 May and will close at midnight on Monday 28 May. Tickets can be applied for online at www.newcastle.gov.uk/torchevent
- with a maximum of four tickets per household.

Whilst there is a staged ticketed area, all of the Evening Celebrations will be broadcast live on huge screens which can be viewed for free from Newcastle Quayside. This area will be pedestrianised from 2pm on Friday afternoon, and will be the best location to view the torch being zip wired from the Tyne Bridge.

There will be some temporary road closures leading up to and during the Torch Relay thereby causing some congestion around the city centre.

Whilst every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum, we would advise you to factor it in to your travel plans for the evening.

Nearest Metro stations to the Quayside are Manors or Monument, both only a 10 minute walk, or the Q2 Quayside bus will be running to the bottom of Dean Street – the quayside will be close to traffic from 2pm. If you need to bring your car, there is car parking available across the city centre.

The Olympic Torch Relay started at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.

[Newcastle Historian]

Citylife - Olympic Special, Summer 2012
Citylife is the successor to "Civic News", "City News" and "Newcastle City News" . . .












.

[Steve Ellwood]

Originally Posted by Newcastle Historian

Central Newcastle may get a giant
TV screen to show London Olympics
by Ruth Lawson, Evening Chronicle, May 18th 2012


A GIANT SCREEN, broadcasting a summer of sport, may be put up in Newcastle City Centre. City Council planners are recommended to give the go ahead to the 6.5m tall screen in the pedestrianised area south of Grey’s Monument for 15 weeks while the 2012 Games take place. It is hoped it will act as a focal point for sports fans who missed out on getting tickets to the London Olympics.

Harvey Emms, the council’s director of housing, planning and transport, said in a report: “This application proposes a short-term and temporary TV screen installation in association with a unique sporting and cultural event for the city. It is considered that the proposal will be a welcome facility providing a focus for civic activity for residents and visitors alike.”

The screen would be in place from June 1 until September 16 and would be turned on no longer than from 6am to midnight. Only one objection was lodged by a resident of nearby Central Exchange Buildings who was concerned about noise and suggested there are better locations such as Eldon Square. No issues have been raised by Regulatory Services and Public Protection and the report went on to state: “The proposal will clearly lead to a degree of noise associated with the broadcasting of sporting events. It will also undoubtedly be a destination attraction for city centre residents and visitors.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1vDrTnZ9b

Planning Permission Granted Conditionally - 23rd May 2012 - The advertisement to which this consent relates shall only be operated between the hours of 06:00-00:00 (midnight) with no audible sound before 08:00 and after 22:30 hours at all times.

Reason: In accordance with the application details and in the interests of residential amenity, in accordance with saved policy H2 of the Unitary Development Plan.

http://publicaccess.newcastle.gov.uk...=M1JABDBSAP000

Reference 2012/0398/01/GRA
Alternative Reference PP-01839518
Application Received Tue 27 Mar 2012
Address Pavement Outside 104-106 Grey Street Newcastle upon Tyne
Proposal City Council Development: Siting of large format TV screen to broadcast Olympic content throughout the period of Olympic Games and Paralympic Games during July and August, 2012 as amended by correspondence received 04/05/2012
Status Granted Conditionally

[WilfBurnsFan]

I wonder if it will also show Euro2012 coverage, so we can enjoy England's triumphant progress.

[Steve Ellwood]

Originally Posted by WilfBurnsFan

I wonder if it will also show Euro2012 coverage, so we can enjoy England's triumphant progress.

This consent shall expire at midnight on 16/09/2012 and unless further consent for continued display is granted, the advertisement(s) to which this consent relates shall be removed on or before the expiry date.

[Steve Ellwood]

I see the Big Screen is now set up on Grey Street - looks like you view it by looking up Grey Street towards Greys Monument.

[Adrian_Swall]

Pictured today.
Still trying to get a good signal.
You know how it is when you get a new telly and work your way through the 32 page booklet in ten different languages.

[Steve Ellwood]

Originally Posted by Adrian_Swall

Pictured today.
Still trying to get a good signal.
You know how it is when you get a new telly and work your way through the 32 page booklet in ten different languages.

When I saw it last night I assumed the screen was actually the other way round unless its on both sides?

[Steve Ellwood]

The big screen was on at lunch time today - showing the Royal Flotilla or whatever it was badged as - i.e. lots of boats going down/up? the Thames. Anyway the resolution of the screen looked good and it was large - definitely viewed from Greys Monument side.

[Newcastle Historian]

Olympic torches set to go on display in Bamburgh
by Tony Henderson, The Journal, June 7th 2012


YOU wait for an age for an Olympic torch to turn up and then 15 arrive at once - that's the treat in store for a Northumberland village on June 14. Now When the London Olympic torch arrives at Bamburgh around 6pm for a half-hour stay, another 14 original torches will be display in the village. The private collection, owned by a family in the south of England, date from that used in the 1936 Games in Berlin to the 2008 Beijing torch. It will be the only public viewing of the collection in the UK during the torch relay.

The church in Bamburgh was founded by and dedicated to Saint Aidan, the 7th Century Northumbrian Christian pioneer whose name means “flame”. As part of Bamburgh’s day-long celebrations leading up to the arrival of the 2012 torch, carried by Ponteland firefighter and former Royal Marine Brian Tinnion, St Aidan’s will host the public viewing of the Torches of Inspiration collection of 14 genuine Olympic torches. Aidan is usually depicted holding a sconce, or torch, as in his statue on Holy Island and as the Apostle of the English is celebrated as an inspirational light

The Vicar of Bamburgh, the Rev Canon Brian Hurst said: “The Olympic torch represents purity and the endeavour for perfection as well as peace, unity and friendship. How fitting it is that these Torches of Inspiration will be displayed in the church of St Aidan who brought the light of peace and unity to the people ancient people of Northumbria, and from here the light of the Christian Gospel was spread throughout the land and indeed into Europe.”


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1x60iIDOP

[Newcastle Historian]

Olympic torch honour for proud nature-lover Hilary
by Tony Henderson, The Journal, June 9th 2012



WHEN it comes to putting in the hours in the cause of conservation, Hilary Brooker-Carey is a leading light. The voluntary worker’s efforts have been recognised by her selection as one of only two representatives of the RSPB in the UK to carry the London 2012 Olympic torch.

Hilary’s turn comes on Friday in Whitley Bay.

“I couldn’t believe it when I was chosen. I’m really honoured and proud,” says Hilary, who lives in Amble in Northumberland. It is Hilary’s 21st year of volunteering on the RSPB’s Coquet Island reserve off Northumberland.

The island, a site of special scientific interest, is owned by the Duke of Northumberland and is leased to the RSPB.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1xHdvJVIr

[Ken O'Heed]

Some photographs taken by myself 9 Jne 2012 showing "state of play" regarding the rings that are to be erected to the east face of the bridge (hosted on Photobucket)

Ring units positioned on east footpath of bridge










Assume these to be utilised in process




Other road signs state overnight works with narrowed lanes n6 - 10 June - not sure if rings to go up overnight Saturday 9th or more likely daytime on Sunday 10th

KEN