Spirit of the Games lives on in Cannock Chase
Published on Tuesday 14th August 2012
The London 2012 Games may be over but the Olympic and Paralympic spirit in Cannock Chase continues with two great free events in August.
On Sunday 19th August in Cannock Park is 'Party in the Park', the grand finale to the Olympic-inspired Chase Community Games programme that has been running all summer. The event will showcase sporting clubs from across the District and the wealth of activities available. There will also be taster sessions on offer, including a Dance Fest where people can try everything from disco and street dance to salsa and zumba.
Between 11am and 7pm there will also be an It's A Knockout competition, live music, Punch and Judy, a Big Teddy Bears' Picnic, arts and crafts, circus skills, a bouncy castle and slide and Music and Movement sessions with Jo Jingles.
There is lots more information at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/partyinpark, including a free shuttle bus service.
On Saturday 25th August Cannock Chase welcomes the Paralympic Flame as the District plays its part in the build-up to the 2012 Paralympic Games.
The District is one of only four locations in the West Midlands to be hosting an official Paralympic Flame celebration - and the best of sport and the values of the Paralympic movement will be celebrated at Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock between 12pm and 4pm.
Cannock Chase's Paralympic Flame Ambassador Olivia Wilson, 14, a blind horse rider tipped to compete at the Rio 2016 Games, will travel down to London for the national flame-lighting event on Friday 24th August. Olivia will bring the Paralympic Flame back to the District for the celebration at Chase Leisure Centre.
On Saturday 25th the flame will leave Cannock town centre at 11am and will be carried in relay through Cannock Park to Chase Leisure Centre for an afternoon jam-packed with sporting fun. Olympian David Moorcroft will also be making an appearance.
Cllr Christine Mitchell, Cannock Chase Council Culture and Sport Leader, said: "Like the rest of the country, people in Cannock Chase have been spellbound by the London 2012 Olympics. The Chase Community Games, inspired by the Olympics, have been a huge success, with events taking place all over the District. I hope everyone can come along to 'Party in the Park' for the big finale.
"We're incredibly proud to be hosting a Paralympic Flame celebration and I wish Olivia well for her time representing Cannock Chase in London. We'll be celebrating all that's great about the Paralympic movement at Chase Leisure Centre on 25th August as the District plays its part in the build-up to the Paralympic Games."
Both events are being organised by the Council and leisure and culture partner WLCT. Party In The Park has been funded by the Chase Community Partnership.
Stuart Murray, Chief Executive of WLCT, said: "The Olympics have created a wonderful feelgood factor in society and I'm sure the Paralympics will do the same. Over the next few years we will do everything possible to encourage and inspire people to take part in sports in Cannock Chase and contribute to the national legacy of the Games of inspiring a generation."
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