All good intentions
but ‘2 days to go’ was a crazy day time wise! So posting this blog a day late.
Last shift as a
volunteer London Ambassador on the Southbank. What an incredible experience
it’s been, for those of you volunteering later over the summer, enjoy, it’s a
very privileged role. 33,000 applied and only 8,000 were taken on; we’re the
voice of London in that our role is to answer whatever questions are asked of
us at strategic places around London – places of interest, airports and
stations.
The Southbank team
were the first to start on 21st July, a week before Games Time. We
were extremely lucky with the weather, didn’t need our uniform fleeces or rain
jackets but were very grateful for the issued trilbies and large water bottles
as the temperatures reached 30 degrees day after day. Everyone that we came
across over the 6 day volunteering period was so positive about London and the
Olympic spirit was brilliant to experience. We directed people to the London
Eye, river boats, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge (or did you mean the big one
with the towers and the road that goes up to let the boats through?), ATMs,
toilets, water stand pipes, stations and ‘the rainbow beach’. At the beginning
of the week we suggested a trip on the Jubilee line to Stratford to view the
Olympic Park from the top floor of John Lewis – and the amazing Lego Olympic
stadium in the toy dept, at the end of the week we were suggesting a trip on a
Thames Clipper to North Greenwich Arena to view the tall ships and take a ride
on the Emirates cable car across the river. The Southbank itself is abuzz with
atmosphere and so much to do over the summer – so do make a visit if you are in
town. I’m looking forward to wandering some of the Discovery Trails (after ‘a
summer to remember’!) and spotting the themed Wenlock and Mandeville mascots –
we met lots of people searching for them!
In the evening we
drove over to Maidstone to pick up some magnetic branding to adorn the front,
back and sides of the car. Steve Hardy – who’s a wiz at these things - has
managed to create the Girlguiding London and South East England logo, plus the
Region website, Twitter hashtag and QR code in strong magnetic vinyl material
that are now firmly stuck all over the car – people are certainly looking at
us. Cheers Steve!
Dropped into the
Region Office on our way home (23.30 by this time!) to pick up the badges,
posters (for the car rear side windows) etc. many thanks to all the staff for
their interest and support in so many different ways with this challenge.
The blog went live
today, many thanks to so many of you who have emailed support, apologies for
any difficulties experienced with initial sign up.
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