Countdown To Olympic Torch Arriving In Portsmouth

It's not long now until the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay comes to town and there are still many ways to become involved.

On Friday 15th June, with exactly one month to go, there will be a flag making session at Cascades, from 11am until 3pm with artist Jon Adams. Residents can have a go at making flags from recycled books, and then bring them along to welcome the Olympic Flame next month.

Known as 'Dysarticulate', the flag project encourages people of all ages to become an 'artist for a day' by creating and planting flags made from recycled book pages. The project has been awarded the 'London 2012 Inspire Mark', celebrating the values of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A Disability Arts Showcase will be held on Southsea Common between 2pm and 5pm, on Sunday 15 July, as part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. This will showcase the talents of local deaf and disabled people. If you want to get involved then send us a piece of artwork based on the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This can be submitted in any format, from paintings and poetry to dance and short films.

On its journey across the city the Olympic Flame will also visit the Big Screen, now known as the Portsmouth Live Site, which has been dressed with London 2012 branding. Next week the Civic Offices are due to head along the same track when the building is being adorned with Olympic and Paralympic imagery depicting some of the sports being contested at the London 2012 Games.

If you are a keen photographer or like using a video camera, then make sure you sign up to become a Big Screen Memory Maker. Memory Makers will be responsible for taking pictures and short films of events at the Portsmouth Live Site and across the city, including the Olympic Torch Relay and the Boat Project. The material will then be showcased on the Big Screen as an archive documenting how Portsmouth celebrated the London 2012 Olympic Games.

If you would like to become involved in this there will be a free training session held by the Big Screen Producer on 21 June, from 12pm until 2pm. You'll have the chance to learn more about the Big Screen Project and gain some useful photography and filmmaking tips. Places are limited so please book in advance.

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said:

"As the countdown to the Olympic Torch Relay begins, there are lots of opportunities for members of the local community to become involved in, from flag making to creating a piece of artwork. The Civic Offices are even being decorated with special Olympic artwork in honour of the Games.

"We hope to see lots of people making the most of the Portsmouth Live Site and Olympic Torch Relay this summer. The Memory Makers project is also a great opportunity for people to gain an insight into how coverage is produced, and contribute their personal footage to the London 2012 Olympic Games."

To book your place at the Big Screen Memory Makers workshop please email bigscreen@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for more details. If you are interested in the Disability Arts Showcase please email london2012@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

To find out more about the city's celebrations for London 2012, visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk/London2012