Monday 8th December 2008:
On the day that Lord Sebastian Coe visited the West Midlands, the Shropshire Telford & Wrekin 2012 Group, which represents Much Wenlock and the sport, culture, business and tourism sectors in the sub region has announced plans for how it intends to make the most of the opportunities offered by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
An Action Plan developed by the Group outlines opportunities within the local area created by Much Wenlock, the town considered to be the cradle of the Modern Olympic Movement; Ironbridge Gorge, the World Heritage site; and our top class sports facilities such as Lilleshall, Welti Tennis Centre and the Telford Sport Learning and Enterprise Community.
The aim of the Plan is to ensure that a lasting legacy in terms of culture, health, sport, business and tourism is achieved from the Games for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
As plans for London 2012 unfold, the Group will be looking at possibilities for funding to benefit the Olympic legacy for the sub region and at encouraging communities to participate in planned local events and projects surrounding the Games.
The West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has recently chosen the legacy of Dr William Penny Brookes, founder of the Wenlock Olympian Games, to be a central theme for the region in the promotion of the Games. This will draw the spotlight towards Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin in the run up to London 2012. It offers the chance to share the story of Dr Brookes and to also show what the local area has to offer in terms of tourism, culture, sports and business.
Cllr Barbara Craig, who represents Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin on the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games commented, “I am delighted that Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin have received the backing of the Leadership Group to make the legacy of Dr William Penny Brookes a key theme for our region. Our action plan will coordinate and focus the tourism, community, business and publicity opportunities that are offered, not only because of London 2012, but also the bicentenary celebration of Dr Brookes’ birth and other local events.”
The 2012 Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Action Plan can be downloaded here.
