Big Screen Brings Charnwood Closer to London 2012

A FEAST of family fun and games is being lined up to celebrate the opening ceremony of London 2012, culminating in the switch-on of a giant TV screen.

The big screen will become part of Loughborough town centre’s skyline and will beam all of the Olympic action into the town for the duration of the Games which start with the spectacular opening ceremony on Friday, July 27.

The screen will be switched on at around 5pm and people are being invited to get together to follow the BBC’s build-up to the Olympic curtain-raiser as well catching some local community films, in the town’s market place.

The screen will broadcast from 8am until 11pm everyday throughout the games until the closing ceremony on August 12, 2012.

As well as the screen, the opening ceremony will feature family activities and entertainment in Queen’s Park and the town centre and entertainment.

Councillor Paul Harley, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said: “We’re really excited to switch on the big screen and help bring the sounds and action from London 2012 into the heart of Charnwood.

“We want Loughborough town centre to become a venue for people to come together and cheer on Team GB. It should be a superb spectacle so don’t miss it!”

The opening ceremony celebration kicks off in Queen’s Park, Loughborough, between 2pm-4pm with a free family fun day featuring face painting, a bouncy castle, medal making, and a range of Olympic-themed activities.

The fun continues in the town centre between 5pm-7pm with a feast of activities including a showcase of local sports clubs from tennis, rugby, boxing, and even Bollywood dancing!

There will also be taster sessions in golf, boccia (a paralympic sport similar to bowls), dance, mini-Olympic events (javelin, hurdles, long jump) and arts and crafts. Visitors can even have their picture taken with the real 1948 and 2012 Olympic Torches.

The screen will broadcast all the Olympic action and will be in place for Loughborough by the Sea between July 29 – August 1. What better way to watch beach volleyball or the sailing?

As well as the annual Loughborough by the Sea event, the Council has also organised a number of events and markets to celebrate the Olympics.

The normal retail and special markets will not be affected by the big screen’s presence.

For more information about the schedule of events, follow us on Twitter @CharnwoodBC, visit our website www.charnwood.gov.uk/bigscreen, call 01509 634624 or email market.fairs@charnwood.gov.uk.