Diary of a Medal Maker – Alexandra Barker

When I started at Loughborough University working on the Medal Makers programme I knew I was starting something special and momentous but little did I know exactly what was in store!

Walking around campus with the rest of the team and seeing all the first class sporting facilities really brought it home to me exactly where I was working. Loughborough University, to me, is synonymous with sport and I couldn’t think of a better place to work!

The first couple of months flew by in a flurry of policy and strategy writing and the start of the recruitment phase. The Preparation Camp was due to open on 18th June and we needed our volunteers in place to start on that date!

The first task for us to undertake was to organise some volunteers to take part in the dress rehearsal of the Olympic Torch Relay! I was lucky enough to be nominated also and had the chance to run with the official Olympic Torch.

Alex Barker with the Olympic Torch!

By May we had recruited most of the volunteers and we held the first of five briefing/training sessions, neatly timed for the start of the Olympic Torch Relay, carried for the first time by Ben Ainslie (one of my sporting greats).With tears in my eyes I welcomed the first batch of volunteers and thanked them for coming.

Once the volunteers were briefed and we only had 4 weeks to do our final preparations it was all hands on deck to get people into roles and locations ready for day one…..and somehow we managed it!

Day one of Preparation Camp brought its own challenges with more volunteers needed for certain roles and less for others. It was a juggling act all the way through with the need for volunteers changing on a regular basis but all roles were filled and no job was left undone.

The 3rd July was another great day as that was the day that the official Olympic Torch Relay came through campus, again!  This time I was able to enjoy the spectacle as the torch passed by and I saw the torch ‘kiss’ outside the Sir Denis Rooke Building. The Relay was preceded by a fun and colourful carnival marking the relay as it passed through the East Midlands.

That week proved to be pretty special as not only did we have the Olympic Torch, but I was lucky enough to meet Princess Anne, Sir Steve Redgrave and to be present at David Cameron’s address regarding legacy.

The Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games marked another key event for the Medal Makers with a party and the opening of the Beckwith Clubhouse. The Medal Makers and I had worked really hard to turn a lecture theatre into an inviting clubhouse for people to kick back, relax and watch the Games.

The clubhouse proved to be a massive success with a full house on many an occasion. Staff and volunteers watched and cheered for Team GB as they won most of their 65 medals.

On the 6th August Preparation Camp finished. The Team GB branding was all taken down and their presence here on campus became a memory….or did it?

Work had already started to commemorate the Olympics in the form of a participatory arts project outside the Sports Development Centre building to serve as a permanent reminder of the impact that the Olympics has had on Loughborough University and its staff, students and volunteers.

I know that my Olympic odyssey was truly over when we held the final thank you and farewell party for the Medal Makers on 15th August. With genuine tears of joy and sadness I made my goodbyes to my new friends and vowed to meet them all again on our next volunteering adventure.

I have truly loved my time here at Loughborough. Through the many highs and lows that I have worked through I have learnt that I am resilient and tough and can face adversity face on. I am cheerful and diligent and work with tenacity to achieve great things. I will miss the people that I have met along the way and thank each and everyone of them.

#InspireAGeneration

Life in a Day of Preparation Camp!

Life in a Day of the Preparation Camp

The Official Preparation Camp Headquarters for Team GB opened for ‘business’ on Monday 18th June.

This first day of Preparation Camp was in fact one of the busiest! The first athletes to pass through the Camp were the rowers.

Since then we have seen (nearly) all 541 athletes selected for Team GB come to Loughborough University to collect their kit, do media interviews and receive gifts from their sponsors.

And a lucky 19 teams even stayed here at Loughborough to train! With Medal Makers supporting them all the way.

We have had VIPs, Governmental, sporting legends and royalty come to visit us at Preparation Camp creating as much of a stir as the athletes themselves!

Team GB have very much felt like part of the family and the ubiquitous red trainers marked the Team GB and BOA staff, athletes and volunteers from miles away. Leaving looks of envy on people’s faces as they passed!

Not as envious as when people saw the Medal makers T-shirts however. The purple T-shirts of the Medal Makers have certainly left their mark and have been a useful tool in identifying Medal Maker volunteers from a distance!

The Medal Makers created quite a stir on the Olympic Torch Relay day when the sea of pink was the closing image of many of the news bulletins on the eve of the 3rd July.

The Camp was dismantled on the 6th August and all those who have been involved in the Preparation Camp are very sad to see Team GB leave campus.

However the Olympic fever continued with the opening of the Beckwith Clubhouse which has screened much of the Games live on its three screens.

All in all there were:

  • 64 days of Preparation Camp;
  • 541 Team GB athletes;
  • 342 Medal Makers
  • 11,642 volunteering hours.

Our friendly policeman – Mark Friskell

Mark - our friendly policeman!

Mark Friskel is a Police Officer who was assigned to the Official Preparations Camp Headquarters for Team GB at Loughborough University from mid-January onwards.

He provided a vital link between the University and Charnwood Borough Council, Leicestershire Constabulary and Leicestershire County Council. He ensured that all the different strategic plans for the Olympic Torch Relay linked and worked together perfectly.

From the start it was clear that there was a lot to do!

The Olympic Torch Relay through Leicestershire comprised two events: the dress rehearsal on the 20th April and the real thing on the 3rd June.

Being involved in the dress rehearsal was exciting as Leicestershire showed people what was involved and how it would look. The whole nation, plus LOCOG, Team GB, the BOA and the IOC were watching us to ensure it all went according to plan.

In addition to the logistics of the torch relay, the traffic controlling measures had to be meticulous as many major routes were affected.

The feedback from the day was very positive with the staffing from the Medal Makers volunteers absolutely spot on!

Now to planning the real thing! The emphasis here was to shape the plans and bring it all together.

We needed to brief as many volunteers as we could and The Medal Makers team helped to set up those briefing sessions. Without those the volunteers may not have known what was expected of them.

One of the highlights of Mark’s work on campus was playing the video of the previous days’ footage of the Olympic Torch Relay on the morning of the 3rd July. Seeing everyone’s faces in the ‘sea of pink’ light up as they realized exactly what they were involved in was inspiring.

They even gave a round of applause in appreciation of the day ahead.

In addition to the volunteers and visitors to campus, local school children filled the Holywell Stadium and the cheering in there was deafening…it certainly helped build the air of excitement and anticipation.

All in all an estimated 9,000 people were on site watching the Olympic Torch go through Loughborough University’s campus.

‘I’ve had a fantastic time on campus working with all the different organization and the Medal Makers volunteers I am proud to have played a key part in the torch relay. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. And now I’m back in reality with the day job with the community engagement team!’

The Torch Illuminates Loughborough

The Torch coming to Loughborough will go down in the university’s history books. The campus was filled with members of staff, locals, school children and volunteers, as well as prominent guests such as David Hemery, awaiting the torch bearers’ arrival, and came through the campus to view the ‘Torch Kiss’.

David Wheeler’s Torch Day Experience:
Volunteers were adorned with bright pink t-shirts and the campus felt like a festival, with a celebratory buzz reverberating around the University Stadium. To complement this excitement, the stadium burst into colour with the carnival featuring larger than life costumes and parades. David Wheeler states how ‘spirits were raised further by the spectacularly colourful carnival procession ahead of the torch bearers. I was pleased to be able to guide others to the best viewing positions’.

Members of the development and alumni services staff, Richard and Alan, were also extremely impressed with the carnival, as it brought all members of the university together as a community. It symbolised the excitement and celebratory atmosphere brought by the Olympics.

Prominent guests included David Hemery, and David Wheeler enthuses how great it was ‘to hear Hemery’s Olympic experiences in conversation with Jonathan Agnew. Was success due to teamwork or individual excellence? Probably both!’

Photobucket

Helping Hands:
This level of camaraderie between volunteers is inspirational. Even the security sniffer dogs were getting involved in the action, raising morale. Pictured is one of the dogs proudly donning an “I was there!” T-shirt, adding extra cuteness to the sea of pink.

Photobucket

Photobucket

 

The Torch Relay was a magnificent event that will go down in history and remain in people’s memories. As one volunteer, Emily Rabone aptly said, “I think it gave people the opportunity to feel they had some connection with the Olympics, especially for those who couldn’t get involved elsewhere in either volunteering or getting tickets to the events.”

Having something to celebrate with such vigour where an entire community can get involved is an illuminating experience.  “It was great to see so many happy faces”, said Emily, doing their bit and getting involved with British Olympic history.

Voices of the University

The Medal Makers interviewed seven volunteers who are also permanent university staff and students.  Their close and professional relationship with the university has shed some interesting light on how Preparation Camp is viewed by those who will remain at Loughborough after the Olympics has finished.

We found they actually shared many similar opinions and thoughts. For example:

    • They found the Medal Makers were helpful, especially when the Torch was here.
    • Preparation Camp is a positive experience for the university thanks to having so much media exposure.
    • Loughborough has been put on the map nationally and internationally.
    • They felt safer after the enhanced security.
    • Many are looking forward to seeing how the work that’s been done here on campus will contribute to Loughborough’s Olympic legacy.

Photobucket
Extra security arriving in Loughborough for the Torch Relay (but there’s always time for a photo with the local school children!)

 

Photobucket
The torch getting Paparazzi-style media attention on campus!

Our interviewees ranged from students, to administrative staff, to security, and each had their share of diverse opinions:

  • Those who worked in the Developmental and Alumni Gift Processing felt Preparation Camp is beneficial for the university’s local, national and international reputation.
  • Admin staff thought Preparation Camp would be a fascinating talking point with the locals, who were coming to appreciate the university more by understanding what went on in campus.
  • They felt a definite buzz on campus.
  • The students also noticed that a lot of the facilities on campus have been upgraded in the last few years in preparation for the athletes, and this will be a great legacy for the University’.
  • The students were able to take their Security certificates to the Union and apply for paid work, which was a big bonus for them. 
Photobucket
Victoria and Ben, student volunteers, at the Security Scanner

The Medal Makers are happy to hear how Preparation Camp has become a pivotal milestone in the university’s history. It is also really encouraging to hear how the Loughborough Legacy will continue on at a national level, but has also already benefitted the people directly affected by what the university has to offer, and will continue to do so for those to come!

A Special Day – a Medal Makers’ Diary

‘Just called in to the Medal Makers office on Wednesday morning, 4th July. Should have realised it was an auspicious date. There did seem to rather a lot of police around and I had to be let in to a locked building.

 Alex was running hither and thither but showed me the basics of the blog software and I settled down to familiarise myself with the software.  After a short while Richard came in and said ‘come and see’. It turned out we had visits from Princess Anne and Sir Stephen Redgrave to watch the basketball team in training.

There were three Medal Makers volunteers who had been working at the Customer Service desk. ‘We didn’t realise anything special would be happening until several policemen arrived with sniffer dogs!’ said one. The policemen did a sweep and told the volunteers to lock the doors. One of them mentioned that Princess Anne was coming.  That set them buzzing and there was a quick clear up of coffee cups, and straightening of purple t-shirts!  They decided perhaps they didn’t need to practice a curtsey!

A short time later we went downstairs hoping they would let us out and found ourselves in the foyer at just the right time.  Someone came out and asked if we had a bag to put a presentation in.  Alex, with quick thinking, saw that I was holding a purple Medal Makers bag said ‘Quick empty that bag’. So Princess Anne is now the proud owner of my MM bag!! Even if it was carried by a Lady in Waiting!

PrincessAnne

 When the Princess  left the sports hall we were all standing in a row, she came over to us for a chat!  She asked us what we were doing and if we were at the university all the time. Alex came over to help explain the Medal Makers role and how essential we were to the running of the preparation camp! She told the Princess that Georgina was helping with the laundry and she laughed and said she hoped they would buy her a new washing machine. The rest of us told her our roles and she asked if we lived locally and remarked that we were a real cross section and she was pleased to meet us. 

Then Sir Stephen Redgrave came out and  one of the volunteers asked if she could have a photo with him. He was really nice and we all posed while his companion took our two cameras and took the photo.

volswithredgrave

All in all quite a morning for the volunteers in the Medal Makers’ office!’

A Medal Maker’s Torch Day Diary – Janet Stevenson

It was an early start at 7.00am but the lecture hall in the Edward Herbert Building was a sea of pink as, in spite of the cold drizzle all 325 volunteers were wearing their pink T-shirts. 

MedalMakers

After briefing we set off to our various locations. David (my husband) and I were in Sector 15 which was the University Stadium. Quite a long walk on this vast campus but interesting to see how cord marking had been set up along the route to mark public access.  By Elvyn Richards Hall there were cleverly stacked straw bales for sitting and standing on. We saw some Chinese students standing on top and waving union jacks while being photographed by friends.  Should make interesting viewing back home!

Once in sight of the stadium volunteers were posted along the route.  The stadium was the venue for school parties and the children were in a high state of excitement eagerly accepting the university flags, band-sticks and leaflets which we were handing out.

Photobucket

The teachers, police and paramedics were all in good humour and the atmosphere was fun. The drizzle had stopped and the sun came out briefly.

StadiumfromFar

 We were given the job of ‘holding the gate’ so only those with wrist bands, official kit, such as the GB Volley Ball team, their coaches, the aspiring athletes and coaches, hoping for a place in Rio in 2016, and a list of official guests were allowed in. If guests didn’t have official ID we were to put a blue pen cross on their hands which caused some laughs.

The advance carnival parade came down the hill and into the stadium, past the flashing balloon flame and through the gate we were ‘guarding’, which gave us real close up views of their fantastic costumes.

CarnivalArrives

Then the real star of our section arrived, Audrey Cooper with her torch ready for its ‘kiss’. She is the coach for the Team GB’s Women’s volleyball team and comes from East Leake. The whole team had come in full kit to support her – and we had let them in!!

One of the Medal Makers volunteers had the exciting task of holding the ‘Torches Kiss Here’ banner and being right up close to the transfer of the flame. The flame runner for the previous stage came down the hill carried into the stadium by Johnathan Eley a winter Olympics speed skating world record holder to meet the array of cameras.

Audrey then started her run and proceeded out of our gate and down to Sir Denis Rooke building.

 Photobucket

We stayed to see the children leave safely, then made our way back up campus where a variety of other activities were getting underway.

We had a fantastic day and were sorry to leave at the end.

An Exciting Visitor

The Medal Makers have had a busy week!

The Olympic Torch Relay on Tuesday was just the start of the excitement to come.

Wednesday 4th July heralded a special visitor to the University Campus, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

She toured the Campus and as a part of that made a visit to the Sir David Wallace Sports Hall to watch the Men’s basketball team training.

Photobucket

She spoke to a few of the Medal Makers, much to their delight.

‘it was so exciting meeting Her Royal Highness. She said ‘good morning’ to us and gave us a lovely smile. It has been a fantastic day and one which I will never forget!’ said Valerie Wilson one of the Medal Makers on duty when the Princess Royal arrived.

The Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic Torch Relay came through Loughborough University campus on Tuesday 3rd July supported by Medal Makers volunteers.

The event could not have proceeded as smoothly as it did without the Medal Makers’ help and support and so a huge thank you to all of the volunteers!

D2896-01

The event was covered in the local and national news and the sea of pink T-shirts featured heavily in that coverage