Local events marking Olympic handover

Release Date:  22-Aug-2008

The excitement and anticipation of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic games is capturing everyone’s imagination. And in Bristol, the big build up starts on Sunday, August 24 in Millennium Square where celebrations are planned to mark the handover of the Olympic flag in China from the Mayor of Beijing to London’s Mayor, Boris Johnson.

Organised by the city council, the celebrations will feature live music, dance, and performance and are set to take place from 2.30pm to 4pm in Millennium Square and other sites around the city.

Bristol is amongst the hundreds of cities, towns and villages across the United Kingdom that will be marking this special occasion with a cultural display and two minutes of noise to launch the four-year build up to the London 2012 Olympics.

The handover moment will be captured live on Bristol’s Big Screen at At-Bristol in Millennium Square and will also feature celebrations going on in London and around the UK.

In Bristol, Chinese Acrobatics, Shaolin Kung Fu and a Chinese Music Ensemble with Lion Dance will perform in Millennium Square. The Bristol City Pipe Band and members of the seven to 11 year old gymnastic intermediates team from the Academy of Gymnastics of Portishead will also give live performances.

Across the city and in local communities, residents and musicians will be encouraged to take part in a national, two minute ‘Big Noise’ event at 4pm. The aim is to unite everyone in the southwest in a massive coming together of noise to officially welcome the Olympics to London and the UK.

Local musicians have been encouraged to take part by going out into their front gardens to play music for their neighbours and nearby residents. On the harbourside, boat owners will be asked to sound their foghorns and sirens to fill the historic waterfront with sound and jubilation.

And just before 4pm, there will be speeches and a flag raising ceremony on College Green with the Lord Mayor, Councillor Christopher Davies.

“Linking with Beijing when the Olympic flag is officially handed over will be a fantastic moment,” says Council Leader, Helen Holland. “For London and the UK to be hosting the Olympics is a great privilege and for the next four years the eyes of the world will be on us. Team GB's amazing achievements in the 2008 Olympics have added to the excitement and promise of 2012.
 
“Closer to home, our new Big Screen has really given Bristolians the chance to share events, and also to celebrate our friendship link with Guangzhou in China, bringing Beijing to Millennium Square.

“In Bristol, our ambitious plans for the city are paying dividends, which means Bristol can play its part and take its place amongst the nations best. Hosting the UK School Games with Bath this year really puts us on the map, and alongside our commitment to sport for all, we are already delivering top-class facilities and creating new opportunities such as the Hengrove Healthplex development.

“I'm delighted that we can all join together on Sunday to celebrate this auspicious occasion.”

Author:   Helen Hewitt, tel. 922 2646

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