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Chair to celebrate Olympic hero
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| Sir Steve Redgrave and Stewart Linford celebrate the launch of the chair |
ONE of the last key figures of Wycombe's once-reknowned furniture industry has seen plans to build a commemorative chair for the 2012 Olympic games grind to a halt.
Stewart Linford, a local furniture craftsman, had wanted to mark the landmark with a chair incorporating Olympic logos and signage, but the idea was shot down by the games' organisers.
But in the face of disappointment, Mr Linford came up with an even better idea to celebrate the nation's sporting achievements.
Instead he contacted Sir Steve Redgrave, the nation's greatest Olympic athlete, to propose designing a chair in the legendary oarsman's honour.
The five-time gold medallist, who lives in Marlow, was only too pleased to lend his support to the project.
Mr Linford, who's business is based on Kitchener Road, said: "He was very keen. He's a customer of ours anyway.
"He thought it was a good idea and he's supporting it. It's a chair in his honour - he's our greatest athlete."
The chair is decorated with depictions of ancient Greek athletes, including discus throwers, archers and rowers.
Previously Mr Linford had approached the London 2012 Olympics organisers to produce a piece of furniture that would tie directly in with the games.
He was keen to obtain the rights to use Olympic logos and signage on the chair. But the response he had was not encouraging.
Mr Linford said: "They said we're not even looking at merchandising until after Beijing. They didn't even give me any confidence that we would get anywhere if we hung on and waited.
"But once we have got a good idea and a good product we have just got to go with it."
Several of the limited edition Sir Steve Redgrave chairs have already been ordered, and Mr Linford hopes more orders will come.
The chair will be on display at the Stewart Linford factory showroom, on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, from 11am to 4pm.
The London 2012 Organising Committee confirmed that it would not be organising any Olympic merchandise until 2009, after the Beijing Olympics. Further information guiding companies will be available at www.london2012.com/business
1:03pm Thursday 22nd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Ivor on 2:21am Fri 23 May 08
[quote]ONE of the last key figures of Wycombe's once-reknowned furniture industry....[/quote]What do you mean “once renowned”? It still is renowned thanks to people like Mr Linford.
A great deal of the furniture factories may have closed over the years but there still is a furniture industry in the town and by the sound of this article Wycombe is still manufacturing innovative designs that are bang up to date so please don’t talk Wycombe’s furniture industry down by saying that it was "once-reknowned"!
ONE of the last key figures of Wycombe's once-reknowned furniture industry....
What do you mean “once renowned”? It still is renowned thanks to people like Mr Linford.
A great deal of the furniture factories may have closed over the years but there still is a furniture industry in the town and by the sound of this article Wycombe is still manufacturing innovative designs that are bang up to date so please don’t talk Wycombe’s furniture industry down by saying that it was "once-reknowned"!
Posted by: kazza, high wycombe on 6:29pm Fri 23 May 08
maybe Mr Linford could come up with a chair marking the achievements of our wheelchair basketball team ........?
maybe Mr Linford could come up with a chair marking the achievements of our wheelchair basketball team ........?
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