Rain Inhibits Play!
26 August 2008
The Arrival of the Olympic Flag.
Sadly it was rather wet and windy on sunday for the seafront "Street Party" celebrations. A fair crowd turned up to try and enjoy the spectacle on show and all put a brave face on it. The Party was to celebrate the handover of the flag from the Beijing games. In the end it was more of a media event than a family spectacular but if you could forget the elements there were some joyous moments. Unfortunately the bands playing, the hog roast and the BBQ seemed to have been rained off.The picture above shows the gathered ever pleasant runners from the Dover Roadrunners(many thanks RG) about to set off on their run to Deal with flame and flag. More on that later. 
This cheerful group brought a much needed ray of sunshine to the proceedings with their broad smiles. Yes nice to see the good humoured local MP Gwyn Prosser enjoying the event. That's him on the left joining Jean Farrell Mayoress, Bernard Butcher, the Chairman of Dover District Council, and of course the Mayor herself Diane Smallwood. All immaculately turned out as ever and all give every event a boost. Despite the weather there were many happy faces to be seen. The event was certainly that bit different following on as it did from our huge golden success at the Olympic Games.
Jolly Jack Tarr and top flight Councillor Nigel Collor is always out there with his hand on the community tiller. Nitro Nige was at the event from early morning and got something of a soaking. Here he is joined by Barry W-S of Doverforum..both fully equipped for the inclement weather. As is the glamourous Julie Rook in the picture on the right. Julie, another top flight cabinet councillor, smiles broadly through the gloom as she checks how proceedings are progressing with her mobile. 
And now for the flame itself. The torch was supplied by John Barrett and was the original 1948 Olympic torch. John was one of 26 runners who ran from Dover to London that year carrying this very torch.
Hannah Moon, an Olympic Rowing hopeful for our 2012 Games in London, seen here just after coming ashore from her rowing boat carrying the 2012 flag. The cameras were snapping like mad to capture Hannah who has that magnificent look of the true athlete about her. Good luck to her in her future endeavours.
Star athlete Hannah Moon again, this time with local MP Gwyn Prosser, and on the right with Mayor Diane Smallwood. Hannah made a very welcome addition to the event and was an instant media star. Our local politicans were delighted to be photographed with her...which brings us nicely to the shot below.
Chairman of Dover District Council, the amiable Bernard Butcher, gets to grips with the London Olympic flag with the aid of the lovely Hannah again. In the background you can see the general greyness of the weather...grey flat and dull but of course the event itself was kept buoyed by all the rallying good nature of those taking part.
I will finish off with this shot of the oul battle hardened veterans..yes its that man Nigel again on the right but this time joined with local character extraordinaire Stewart Dimmock. Both looking a trifle dampened by the eternal rain but not dampened in spirits. And speaking of spirits...One needed some light refreshment after the riquors, and was that Nigel and Stew I saw in a nearby convivial hostelry later...not that I was in there myself you understand...ahem!
PB
Pictures Paul Boland, Colette Boland.
EXTRA picture just in...from Karol Steele
Note the little boy who had just wandered into the shot with the bigwig stars. He wanted to touch the famous flag.
Thats all folks!
The Arrival of the Olympic Flag.
Jolly Jack Tarr and top flight Councillor Nigel Collor is always out there with his hand on the community tiller. Nitro Nige was at the event from early morning and got something of a soaking. Here he is joined by Barry W-S of Doverforum..both fully equipped for the inclement weather. As is the glamourous Julie Rook in the picture on the right. Julie, another top flight cabinet councillor, smiles broadly through the gloom as she checks how proceedings are progressing with her mobile.
Star athlete Hannah Moon again, this time with local MP Gwyn Prosser, and on the right with Mayor Diane Smallwood. Hannah made a very welcome addition to the event and was an instant media star. Our local politicans were delighted to be photographed with her...which brings us nicely to the shot below.
Chairman of Dover District Council, the amiable Bernard Butcher, gets to grips with the London Olympic flag with the aid of the lovely Hannah again. In the background you can see the general greyness of the weather...grey flat and dull but of course the event itself was kept buoyed by all the rallying good nature of those taking part.
I will finish off with this shot of the oul battle hardened veterans..yes its that man Nigel again on the right but this time joined with local character extraordinaire Stewart Dimmock. Both looking a trifle dampened by the eternal rain but not dampened in spirits. And speaking of spirits...One needed some light refreshment after the riquors, and was that Nigel and Stew I saw in a nearby convivial hostelry later...not that I was in there myself you understand...ahem!PB
Pictures Paul Boland, Colette Boland.
Comments Welcome
EXTRA picture just in...from Karol SteeleNote the little boy who had just wandered into the shot with the bigwig stars. He wanted to touch the famous flag.
Thats all folks!
- Good lot of photos there PaulB capturing the spirit of it all. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves despite the weather. It was great fun with lots of smiling faces and lots of banter amongst the crowd. Well Done to all.
- Oh sadly one think we could'nt change our lovely English weather but we still had our celebrations and everyone was in good humour, great picture's as alway's of event's.
- I strolled down to the seafront to watch the events of the day, it was good to watch the rowers land the new Olympic flag on 'British Soil' so to speak. Shame that the weather wasn't with us.
Needless to say they all got soaked to the skin and we had to retire home to get changed.
It was great to see forumites Ian the croc,Roger DLS man. Nigel our transport man, Stewart the steward and Terry on sounds all doing their bit for the day and Dover.
Lets hope Dover can play some role at the next Olympics and not just be the orifice through which everyone and thing passes on the way to and from London without a second thought for the town.