Friday 25 May 2012

Hello everyone,

We’ve been waiting for this week for so long and it hasn’t disappointed! On Tuesday and Wednesday the Olympic Torch Relay passed through seven of our communities and it was an incredibly proud moment for us all.

From Southwick to Royal Wootton Bassett our communities shone, and I’d like to thank everyone who worked hard to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible. From the start we knew marshalling the route was always going to be very important as this is such a high-profile event and millions of people across the world were watching as the torchbearers carried the torch through our county. I’d like to thank our extremely professional staff and volunteers who cleaned our towns, managed the parking issues, marshalled the route and supported the towns and schools to deliver the most incredible and memorable event.

I was delighted to be invited to be part of the lunchtime stop at Clarendon College in Trowbridge on Tuesday. So many young people will have great memories of playing a major part in the Olympic Torch Relay.

I still can’t quite believe the thousands of people who lined the streets to support the torch and were part of showcasing their towns. The weather this week has been beautiful and our towns and communities looked fantastic and each of them had an atmosphere I shall never forget.

We now know what to expect when the torch returns to our county on July 11 and 12.  It’ll be more of the same as communities really embrace the spirit and show quite literally the world just what a great county Wiltshire is and we have another major event with the 2012 Festival of Celebration in Hudson’s Field on July 11 to celebrate the torch’s overnight stay in Salisbury. This will be a fun-packed summer event for the whole family. More acts have been finalised and Bjorn Again is the headline act. If you’ve been watching the Torch Relay evening events you will be aware of the big crowds turning out to watch the LOCOG concerts. We have estimated around 20,000 people and seeing the reaction to the Torch we think this will be about right. We will need a lot of support from many of you for these two days as we want this event and the Torch relay route to be another huge success for Wiltshire.

Even though July 11 and 12 seems a long way off the time will go very quickly and there is still a huge amount of work and planning that needs to be done.  I hope all of you that have been involved in working the events this year have found the experience enjoyable and a good opportunity to work with colleagues in a different environment.

I visited almost all of the towns on the route and had the biggest sense of pride. I was quite choked at how County Hall looked with hundreds of children picnicking and enjoying the entertainment on the lawn. It was great to see the building and grounds being used for the public – that’s how it should be.

I for one am so excited to welcome the Torch back in July and I look forward to seeing many of you as you help to keep our towns safe whilst everyone enjoys this once in a lifetime event.

Jane

Friday 4 May 2012

It’s been a busy but hugely exciting time since I last managed to sit down and write my last blog.

2012 – A Year of Celebration is in full swing and started in style with the fantastic Diamond Jubilee Celebration Event in Salisbury on Tuesday.

The day was a great success. It brought all the community areas together. I was incredibly proud that Her Royal Highness the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited eight of the medieval-style tents each showcasing one of our community areas. They both saw just how interesting our county is as they viewed everything from Pewsey’s Wiltshire-horned sheep to Westbury’s prehistoric sea reptile fossil!

We were overwhelmed by the number of staff who wanted to be part of this historic day and helped to make it run as smoothly as possible. I have to say a huge thank you to all of you who braved the elements and were there on the day. It’s a testament to the great job you all did that as I walked around Cathedral Close I saw so many happy, smiley and contented people in the crowds.  It was a long day but all the hard work from everyone involved was really appreciated.

It may have been torrential rain in the morning but as soon as the Queen arrived at Salisbury Train Station the sun came out and families from across the county attended and enjoyed everything from battle re-enactments to Morris dancing. It really was a very special occasion and one I, and I know thousands of others, will never forget.

This year is all about making memories and creating a legacy and this happened when Wiltshire communities came together to celebrate and showcase what they do so well. The event received huge media coverage and really put us in the spotlight.

There will be plenty more happening soon, as no doubt you are aware the Olympic Torch comes to Wiltshire in a little over two weeks and we have our festival of celebration taking place in Salisbury on July 11. There is so much still to plan and lots to look forward to.

We’re extremely privileged as the Olympic Torch is coming in and out of our county for two legs of its relay around the country. This will be another opportunity for us as a council to really showcase Wiltshire and all the great things it has to offer.

This week we were able to confirm Wretch 32 as LOCOG’s main headline act at the 2012 Festival of Celebration in Hudson’s Field. Now I can’t say I’m overly familiar with his music but I know a lot of people are really pleased he’ll be there.  You never know, after hearing his performance, I may be first in line to buy his new album! Already confirmed to perform at the festival are the Shine 4 Wiltshire winners the Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir and the bands These Days and City Stereo. We’ll be confirming lots more exciting acts soon so please keep checking the festival website www.wiltshire.gov.uk/festivalofcelebration

Finally I’d like to say thank you for all of your hard work during this busy and important time for the county and I look forward to updating you again very soon.

Jane