News

Essex County Council announces the launch of‘Celebrate Your Fete’, a scheme which hopes to encourage the communities of Essex to celebrate the London 2012 Games, by offering a £400 grant to community groups to give a 2012 boost to a local celebratory fete or event.

After the exciting announcement of the Olympic Torch Relay Communities on Route through Essex, this is the chance for parishes, towns and voluntary organisations throughout the County to take part in the 2012 Celebrations by enhancing or organising an event that the community can take part in to help celebrate the 2012 Games.

Councillor Stephen Castle, Cabinet Member for Education and the 2012 Games commented, ‘Over the past three years Essex has been at the forefront for Open Weekend activities and has successfully encouraged communities to celebrate countdowns to the London 2012 Games. ‘Celebrate Your Fete’ is a fantastic way of boosting an existing fete or event, which with the addition of a little funding could offer so much more to the community. Alternatively, the money could be used to help create a brand new event; bringing the community together through The 2012 Games. 2012 will be a year of celebration and I am delighted that we can offer the people of Essex the opportunity to be a part of it’.

As part of the criteria to apply for funding, applicants are asked to sign up to the ‘Local Leaders’ initiative from the London 2012 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). At the heart of any celebration is the person who makes it happen, that person is a Local Leader. Being a Local Leader is simple, all you need is to have an idea of how you want to celebrate the Games and then get organising. Sign up now at www.london2012.com/localleaders to find out more as well as gain access to some handy tips and materials on how to plan your event.

To find out more about ‘Celebrate Your Fete’ click here>>