News
Friday, 08 July 2011
Open Weekend Marks Countdown to London 2012
The countdown to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is being marked across Oxfordshire in July with free or low cost art, dance, film, music, heritage and sport events. It is the fourth annual "London 2012 Open Weekend" which this year runs from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th July 2011.
Open Weekend events in Oxfordshire include:
Barton Big Swim Challenge
The Big Swim is a unique interactive art event aimed at persuading more people to go swimming, by offering a sensual aquatic experience in which they will swim through a misty haze in a cloud of light and colour based on the five Olympic colours; blue, yellow, purple, green and red. The project has been created by artist Tine Bech, and has been awarded the prestigious London 2012 “Inspire Mark.” The event takes place from 1pm to 8pm at the Barton Leisure Centre in Oxford on Sunday 24th July.
Oxford Olymparks
A series of free Olympic/Paralympic style sports and workshops of dance styles from around the world is being held from 11am to 3pm on Sunday 24th July at South Headington Road. There will also be fun activities for the whole family to enjoy such as health walks and lacrosse.
Battle of Edgcote Walk
A guided walk will bring the 1469 War of the Roses battle to life on Sunday 24th July, starting outside The Griffin Inn, Chipping Warden, Oxfordshire, at 2pm.Tickets cost £5.
Step Up for Sport
The River & Rowing Museum is setting visitors a walking challenge from 10.30am to 4pm on Saturday 23rd July and Sunday 24th July. They can pick up a Trail Pack and pedometer and explore the collections and Museum surroundings, keeping track of the number of steps taken and calories burned. They can then see how this compares to an Olympian in training. There will be eight trails to choose from, some requiring museum entry. The packs, including a pedometer, cost £1.50.
Come and Try Open Day in Banbury, Kidlington and Bicester
People can try out numerous sports such as swimming, badminton, basketball and squash, free of charge from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 23rd July at the Spiceball Leisure Centre, Banbury, the Kidlington and Gosford Leisure Centre, and the Bicester Leisure Centre. There will also be a similar event at Wood Green Leisure Centre, Banbury at the same time on Sunday 24th July.
Summertown Open Weekend
There will be a whole range of family activities in Summertown from Friday 22nd July to Sunday 24th July, including badminton, basketball, rowing, squash, a triathlon, and swimming including a challenge to beat a lifeguard’s 800m swimming time. The events are all taking place at the Ferry Leisure Centre, Diamond Place, Summertown.
Oxford Philomusica
A performance of Baroque music by the Oxford Philomusica will be held at the Sheldonian Theatre on Friday 22nd July at 8pm. Tickets: £37 £26 £17.50 and £10.
Five Ring Challenge
Didcot Wave is inviting people to compete at gold, silver and bronze levels, in a challenge that involves five “rings” - rowing, cycling, treadmill, press ups and sit ups. The event, all day from Friday 22nd July to Sunday 24th July, is free, but non-members must register and take part in a mini-gym induction.
London 2012 Open Weekend is designed to get as many people as possible involved in cultural activities in the run up to London 2012.
Caterina Loriggio, Creative Programmer for London 2012, South East, said: "London 2012 Open Weekend 2011 is set to be the biggest and best yet. People across Oxfordshire will be showing off their creative and sporting talents by actively participating in events to celebrate the greatest show on earth coming to the UK in only one year’s time. The weekend will give people a taste for 2012, when the London 2012 Festival and the Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring a summer of cultural and sporting celebration across the nation."
London 2012 Chair Sebastian Coe said: "For our fourth year, Open Weekend is focussed on celebrating the ‘One Year to Go’ countdown to the London 2012 Games and helping communities across the country experience the best of British sporting, artistic and cultural talents up close. I’d encourage people to get involved at a local event as part of this nationwide celebration; it will be an amazing event."
Oona Muirhead, LOCOG Nations and Regions Group Member for the South East, said: "With just one year to go until Gamestime, London 2012 Open Weekend 2011 is a fantastic opportunity for people to get involved in exciting events taking place within their communities. With cultural, sporting and artistic talents being showcased there's something for everyone - go and see for yourselves!"
Further information about all Open Weekend events can be found on the London 2012 website.
