Weekend of activities marks Olympic countdown...

(21st July 2010)

This weekend (July 24 and 25) marks exactly two years to go before the London 2012 Games, with Hertfordshire's own Lee Valley White Water Centre due to take centre stage.

As a host county, the Hertfordshire Ready for Winners partnership wants everyone to get involved with the Olympic spirit, and has planned an action-packed weekend of activities.

There are a total of 14 events taking place across the county, ranging from trying your hand at painting a picture of Hertford Castle, through to a football challenge in Watford and rounders in Hitchin. Former Olympic 400m runner Mark Richardson will also be appearing in the county throughout the weekend.

On Saturday 24th July there is a celebration of sport and culture in Waltham Cross town centre. This free 'Two Years and Counting' festival organised in partnership with Broxbourne Council celebrates the white water canoe event taking place in Waltham Cross at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in 2012. It takes place between 1pm and 3pm and will showcase young musical talent from Hertfordshire, Olympic-themed films and exhibitions from local sports clubs. Mark Richardson will appear with promising Olympic hopefuls, and there will be a mini-Olympics for children.

As part of the Waltham Cross festival, the refurbished Eleanor Cross monument will be unveiled at 10.50am. The monument is one of three remaining of an original 12 monuments marking Queen Eleanor’s journey to her final resting place in Westminster Abbey after her death in 1290.

Derrick Ashley, Hertfordshire County Councils Champion for the 2012 Games and Executive Member for Planning, said: “I am delighted we have refurbished a monument of such national historical importance and am looking forward two years to when the world will be watching Waltham Cross and the Lee Valley White Water Centre as one of the 2012 Olympic venues.”

On Sunday 25th July Paradise Wildlife Park are helping support Olympians of the future with a fun day packed with activities, demonstrations and of course animals, with 50 per cent of the proceeds going to the Hertfordshire Talented Athletes Programme. Highlights on the day include a ‘Beat the pro’ challenge where children can pitch themselves against professionals, The Shaolin Monks (as seen on Britain’s Got Talent), over 400 animals and children’s rides. Celebrations start at 12 o'clock and advance booking discounts are available from the Park's website.

For further information on all of the events planned over the weekend of 24 and 25 July visit the ‘get involved’ section of the London 2012 website www.london2012.com.

The full programme of Hertfordshire events for Open Weekend is as follows:

• Two Years and Counting, Waltham Cross, Saturday

• Art Challenge, The Castle, Hertford, Saturday

• Sports Fun Saturday, Hitchin Museum and Art Gallery, Hitchin, Saturday

• Open Day, North Herts Leisure Centre, Letchworth, Saturday

• Rounders in the Park: Community Challenge, North Herts College, Hitchin, Saturday

• Football Challenge, Watford Palace Theatre, Saturday

• Hertford Alternative Pentathlon, The Castle, Hertford, Saturday

• Cedars Park Archaeological Dig, Waltham Cross, Saturday and Sunday

• Celtic Games, Celtic Harmony Camp, Brickendon, Sunday

• Ofest, Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne, Sunday

• Badminton Bash, Letchworth Tennis Club, Sunday

• Lee Valley Regional Park Cycle Ride, Pindar car park, Cheshunt, Sunday

• Roman Day, Welwyn Roman Baths, Sunday

• Arts in the Nature Reserve, Riverside Park, Royston, Sunday

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