Sunday, 9 September 2012

Athletes Parade - Monday 10th September 1.30-4pm

As a glorious sporting summer comes to an end, up to 830  Team GB and ParalympicsGB  athletes who competed at the Olympic and Paralympic Games will parade through central London to celebrate their achievements with the public. Our Greatest Team are due to set out from Mansion House in the City at 1:30pm, with up to 830 athletes travelling on 21 floats, organised by sport and with medal winners across the length of the parade. They will travel along Queen Victoria Street and Cannon Street, passing by St Paul's Cathedral, continuing along Fleet Street, past Aldwych and into The Strand. It is expected to take about 50 mins from Mansion House to Trafalgar Square  The final stretch of the parade in the Mall is a ticketed area and is a big thank you to volunteers and others who have made a contribution to the Games and supported the athletes. 


The parade will consist of up to 21 floats, each able to carry around 40 athletes. At the head of the parade will be a specially commissioned carnival group fronted by 2 giant lion heads, each representing the motifs of Team GB and Paralympics GB. The parade is expected to travel at approx 2 mph and take up to 15 mins to pass any given point.

The Parade is the perfect opportunity for us all to celebrate the achievements of fabulous British athletes following their participation in the Games, and for the athletes to say thank you to the United Kingdom for supporting them through these memorable Games. With an unparalleled medal haul, we as a nation are understandably immensely proud of the achievements of Our Greatest Team. 

Why is the Parade taking place on Monday 10  September?
By staging the parade the day after the Paralympic Games, the participation of the maximum number of athletes is assured, in particular the Paralympic athletes who will be coming directly from the Olympic Park to the Parade start. If the date is delayed further many athletes may not be able to take part because of other commitments. 

Who is expected to watch the parade?
The parade is the finale after the Games and an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all the British Athletes. Many thousands of people may come out for this unique occasion. including people working in the City and West End, as well as visitors to the capital. 
      
     Pat yourself on the back London!
      Inside the Games venues and at hundreds of cultural events across the capital, London has put on an amazing show - this is the final free event organised by the Mayor of London as part of citywide celebrations organised for the London 2012 Games.

Travel information for 10 September
Roads:
Roads in the City (in area surrounding Guildhall / Gresham Street) will be closed from 6am with further road closures in central London from 11.00am onwards, with a number of bus services diverted or not running their full routes. Please use public transport if possible, but allow more time for your journey if essential to drive.
Buses:
Because of road closures in the City from 6am and further closures around central London from 11.00am, a number of bus services will be diverted or not run their full routes.
Tube:
Tube services will operate a normal weekday service with no planned engineering work across the whole network. However, lines and stations close to the parade will be busier so you should allow more time for your journey.
Docklands Light Railway:
A normal weekday service will operate on the DLR but Bank station will be busier than normal so allow more time for your journey.
London Overground:
All services will operate normal weekday service. 
National Rail:
Due to the close proximity of the Parade route to Charing Cross and City Thameslink Stations, it is likely that these areas will become busy at the time of the Parade passing by. Some journey times may be impacted, so allow more time for your journey or consider using alternative stations.
Barclays Cycle Hire:
Barclays Cycle Hire Docking stations will remain available, but it is likely that due to crowds and road closures some central London stations will not be replenished.


You should follow me on twitter here

Saturday, 8 September 2012

World record breaking music marathon this Sunday!

Everyone’s invited to their local bandstand this Sunday afternoon to celebrate the last day of the Paralympic Games. 

Bandstands across the city will come to life on Sunday 9 September for the biggest bandstand concert this city has ever seen. As part of the Showtime Festival finale, enjoy an afternoon of live music, bands and choirs. At 2pm, Viva La Vida by Coldplay will be played simultaneously at all bandstands.

There will be fantastic free live music performances all afternoon. Visitors to Broomfield Park, Palmers Green can expect the Afro-Caribbean beats of The Harambe Drummer, while Regent’s Park will host a festival of Jewish music.

There will be much more happening across London. So pack a picnic, meet up with family, friends and neighbours and head down to your local bandstand for a world record breaking music marathon! 

Participating bandstands include:
East London

  • Albany Park, Hertford Road, Enfield, EN3 5PA
  • Barking Park, Longbridge Road,Barking, IG11 8TA
  • Coronation Gardens, Oliver Road, Leyton, E10 5NE
  • Hillyfields, Cooks Hole Road, Enfield, EN2 0UD
  • Ponder's End Park, Ponders End High Street, Enfield EN3 4EY
  • Pondfield Park, Pondfield Road, Dagenham, RM10 8DE
  • Springfield Park, Springfield Mansion, Hackney, E5 9EF
  • Valentines Park, Cranbrook Road, Ilford, IG2 6EW
  • Victoria Park, Corner of Old Ford Road and Grove Road, Tower Hamlets, E9 7DE

South London

  • Battersea Park, Battersea, SW11 4NJ
  • Clapham Common Bandstand, Windmill Drive, SW4 9DE
  • Croydon Road Recreation Ground, Beckenham, BR3
  • Diamond Jubilee Gardens, The Embankment, Twickenham, TW1 3DY
  • Queen's Gardens, Croydon, CR9 1SA
  • The Walnuts, Orpington, BR6 OTW

West London
  • Dukes Meadow, Riverside Drive, Chiswick, W4 2SH
  • Haven Green, Ealing Broadway, W5 2NX
  • Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way, Wimbledon, W19 2RD
  • Paddington Recreation Grounds,Westminster, W9
  • Shenley Park, Ruslip Manor, HA4

South East London
  • General Gordon Square, Woolwich, SE18 6HB
  • The Albany, Douglas Way, Lewisham, SE8 4AG
  • Tudor Barn, Well Hall Pleasaunce, Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9 6SZ


North London
  • Broomfield Park, Alderman's Hill, Palmers Green, N13 4RB
  • Northampton Square, Islington, EC1 V0

North West London
  • Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill Lane, NW2
  • Harrow Recreation Ground, Roxborough Road, Harrow, HA1 1PB
  • Regents Park, NW1 4NR
For more info visit the official websiteYou should follow me on twitter here