Module One Training

Casting your mind back to this time last year 2012, I began writing up my London Ambassador Training, starting with Module One. However, the ‘Olympic Experience’ took over. I had to put on hold documenting until now. Last year I got as far as Module One training trip Day 1 and Module One training trip Day 2. So here it continues…

Day 3 – Module One Training 30.03.12

I’m up early to allow myself just over an hour to travel to North Kensington (old style) from the tip of North East London. Something I have to get used to as the distances are far longer here in London, compared to Cardiff. After a walk, a few tubes and another walk, I arrive just after registration starts.

Again we are in The Lighthouse -Terrence Higgins Trust, which makes it easier as I came here for my interview. I know that it is an environment, which is suitable health wise…

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity MCS can make life difficult at times in terms of venues. However, a lady from London Ambassadors has checked through with the venue and they haven’t decorated in the last few month and they offer to air through the room and reduce the amount of cleaning fluids that day.

A full days training comprising mainly of presentations and teamwork exercises. Working in groups is a highlight as getting to meet others is one of my major motivations for being a London Ambassador.

We have a lot of fun as well as absorbing a large amount to information as regards details of what to expect the coming months: our uniform arrangements, POD locations, teamwork, where London Ambassadors fit in to the bigger picture of the Olympic & Paralympic Games.

I come away full of enthusiasm for the work in the summer!

Finishing a little earlier than expected, as it is a sunny day and feeling happy that I completed the day health wise, I catch the tube to South Bank to remind myself again of the place I will be volunteering…

Strolling along The Thames to Riverside Terrace Cafe for a cuppa, it’s exiting to think I’ll be a part of this in the summer…

At this stage Jubilee Gardens was still being re-constructed. By the time we volunteered at the Jubilee it was completed… as were the jubiloo’s!

Lots of these eggs were dotted about London, they were part of the Big Easter Egg Hunt last year. It is happening again this year throughout the UK and in London, just had a February stint and will be back mid March. Keep up on Twitter @Big Egg HuntUK

Underground Calm

‘A Games By Everyone!’

Mr Gee in the Olympic Stadium / Photo courtesy of Mr Gee

 

GUEST POST:  MR GEE

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1. What Event/s Did You See?

I went to the stadium to see the Olympic Closing Ceremony and I saw the Men’s Olympic Marathon by Monument Station.

2. Who Did You Go With?

For the closing ceremony I was hanging out backstage with Russell Brand and met up with Ed Sheeran.

I went to see the Marathon by myself.

3. How Did You Get There?

We arrived in a special coach (with the Spice Girls!)

4. What Were Your Highlights?

The highlight of the Closing Ceremony was singing, “Always look on the bright side of life” along with 80,000 people (I also met Eric Idle backstage),

The highlight of the marathon was hearing that Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda had won! (I’m half Ugandan)

5. Did You See Team GB Athletes Compete?

I saw Scott Overall running in the Men’s Olympic Marathon.

6. What Did You Enjoy Most About The Day/s?

After the Closing Ceremony, we went into the centre of the stadium & met athletes from all over the world. I was looking for Mo Farah, but I couldn’t find him.

7. Are You a Seasoned Olympics and Paralympics fan?

I’ve watched many past Olympics on TV, but the fact that this was being held in London made it all the more special. There were so many events happening & the city was buzzing!

8. Were You Inspired To Take Up Sport?

I’m not much of a sporty person, but I have started using the free gym facilities in Wennington Green in Bow.

9. Did You Wear A Tracksuit To The Event?

I wore my Union Jack “Team GB” hoodie to represent!!!

 
Mr Gee (Poet and Radio Presenter), is the third of my Guest Posts. Over this coming year, I will feature a number of Games Volunteers and Games Visitors talking about their experience of London 2012!

**Lord Sebastian Coe said in his Olympic Closing Ceremony Speech:

“Our opening ceremony proclaimed that these would be a Games for everyone… at our closing ceremony, we can say that these were a Games by everyone.”

Christmas Sparkle

After leaving the London Ambassadors Christmas Concert in Trafalgar Square I took a cold stroll up Regents Street to see the Twelve days of Christmas Lights…

It was the first time I had walked the entire length of Regents Street and I loved seeing the architecture.

I had hoped to see more of London’s Christmas Sparkle myself but time and health were limited. I unfortunately had to forgo Reindeer Petting at Covent Garden, which i heard about on BBC Radio London. Also ice skating at Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park…

However, I did catch fellow blogger Davide at Travelling Dave on Twitter going to The Chocolate Festival on the South Bank Centre Square on Sunday. He kindly agreed to capture some of the festive atmosphere along South Bank. So pretty to see our summer home all lit up with Christmas lights and the South Bank Centre Christmas Market.

Night time falls…

Big thanks Davide!

‘Magenta Magicians’ Christmas Concert 2012!

Mayor of London put on a Christmas Concert for London Ambassadors and some Games makers in Trafalgar Square on 8th December 2012. Fortunately it coincided with the Olympic / Paralympic London Ambassador Tree Planting Legacy (which I’ll write about next year) on 9th December 2012, so I was able to attend!

A bitterly cold day and I spent alot of it in the nearby National Gallery Grab & Go Café drinking hot tea and gorgeous cakes.

Venturing outside for exquisite singing by Jonathan and Charlotte (Runners Up in Britain’s Got Talent 2012) and The Centre for Young Musicians Concert Choir & of course Boris’s Speech!

Met some lovely girls whom I spent the duration of the concert with. Plus caught up with old & new London Ambassador faces too!

Unfortunately Mayor of London put reserved seating for those requiring it due to health/disability at the very back of Trafalgar Square facing a large screen, with no view of the stage at all. We asked could we move our seats to the front, alongside the wheelchair space, so we could see but were told no. The only place we were allowed to relocate was in front of the fountains behind those standing. Great view of the lit up fountains though!

BBC London mention the concert here!