Lighting up the Thames Valley
An exciting arts project that has been creating a lasting impact from London 2012, by funding ideas and local talent across the Thames Valley, will culminate in an explosion of light and movement in Reading tonight.
Two years in the making, Tree of Light will involve over a thousand local dancers and performers who will join together at the Madejski Stadium to welcome the Olympic Torch.
Described as “glorious, thought-provoking and immense” the finale will be held at dusk in the beautiful grounds of Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames on 21st July. Talking about the project, Performance Director Charlie Morrissey says: “There is an incredible energy that is generated by a mass of people who have all been working together on a common goal – whatever their previous experience.
Stewart Collins, Creative Producer, adds, “This is community arts truly come of age. People power!”
For more information about The Tree of Light visit http://www.thetreeoflight.org
Youngsters hit the water in Buckinghamshire
As Team GB rowers prepare to go for gold at Eton Dorney, a few miles away in Marlow a community rowing club are already celebrating after winning a Olympic-inspired legacy award. Rowing in 2012 worked with local schools, colleges, young offender institutions and disability support groups, to provide young people with six weeks of rowing coaching. It’s recently been named as a Sportivate project of the year.
Rebecca McGowan, one of the first young people to take advantage of the courses at Longridge, said: “I’d never really thought about rowing before I saw the Sportivate courses advertised at school and thought I would give it a try as I’d been thinking I should do more sport.”
The project forms part of a Sport England campaign to get more 14- to 25-year-olds playing sport. Thousands of youngsters across the South East have already benefited from a range of Sportivate courses offering a taste of different sports.
Making space to dream
Whether it’s shooting hoops on a basketball court or rehearsing in a church hall, young people across the country are getting the space they need to fulfil their dreams, thanks to a London 2012 legacy programme.
Delivered by youth communications agency Livity and Channel 4 Education, the “Somewhereto” project is giving 16 to 25 year olds the support they need to do the things they love in spaces they did not know existed.
One of those helped was Georgia from the Coruscate Theatre who needed a place to rehearse her play ‘Fern and Rose.’ She said: “Finding rehearsal spaces in a city centre can be a nightmare. Having regular rehearsal space has inspired me to produce more innovative work and collaborate with emerging artists.”
Further information is available on the somewhereto.com website.
