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Photo left: Councillor Castle, Cabinet member for Education and the 2012 Games taking part in the Atrium Abseil challenge

On Friday 23 July the Essex County Council Headquarters, County Hall was transformed in to a mayhem of activtiies as employees were invited to take part in some challenging events as part of London 2012 Open Weekend. 

These events included: 

The Atrium Abseil Challenge.  Over 100 employees embraced the challenge to abseil down the inside of the atrium thanks.  The event was exciting and successful thanks to Essex Outdoors who did a remarkable job in maximising the experience for everbody, especially for those with fears of heights who faced their fears.   The atmosphere was incredible as crowds of workers surrounded the adjacent balconies to cheer on their colleagues.  The event inspired people to embrace an activitiy that they might not normally get the opportunity to try - particularly whilst at work!

Abseilers were then sent to Chelmsford library which was transformed into a photography studio and table tennis court where people were invited to have their photo taken as an Olympic / Paralympic sports hero and also challenge the local table tennis champions to a game of table tennis coursesy of Chelmsford Table tennis club. 

Just outside the library were four state of the Art Watt bikes courtesy of British cycling where employees and members of the public could race each other and experience the thrills of racing in a velodrome.

All participants were given a certificate personalised with their portrait as an Olympic or Paralympic hero to thank them for being part of London 2012 Open Weekend.  Click here to see all the portrait from 'I am a Sporting Hero' Open Weekend challenge.

Below are some comments from the participants:

"Just to say I really enjoyed all the activities on Friday!
Certainly made the working day a bit different!!!"

Tried out archery too on the Saturday, which amazingly I wasn’t too bad at!!

Thanks!

J

  "You very kindly managed to squeeze me onto the Abseiling today (when I called my colleague's bluff! You may recall that I am terrified of heights and took this on as a personal challenge.

 I EVENTUALLY managed to climb over the railings – walk backwards to the edge – and jump off. This was purely down to the confidence & patience the guys who were doing this showed me.

 Please pass on my sincere thanks to them – I would never have achieved this without his (I’m sorry I don’t know his name) help, encouragement & support."

 Thank you!

 "Many thaks to all concerned with organising this event today. Although petrified, I ‘think’ I enjoyed it. And the guys at the top…. Absolute stars!

 Thanks again, I never thought I’d to it!"

 Vickie

  "Just wanted to say that I had a terrific time on Friday with all the taster activities you put on for staff, I am definitely an abseiling junkie now! I think all the staff here really appreciated it and hopefully all got involved in something new."