WALTHAM FOREST: Thousands turn out for Olympic celebrations (From This Is Local London)

Thousands turn out for Lady Godiva parade and Festival of Sport in Waltham Forest

8:01pm Sunday 5th August 2012 in Where I Live By Joe Curtis, Senior reporter

THOUSANDS of people turned out to watch and take part in celebrations of culture and sport this weekend.

Around 5,000 people lined the streets of Waltham Forest today (Sunday) to watch a towering puppet version of Lady Godiva travel from Chingford to the town hall in Forest Road, Walthamstow.

A similar number arrived at the town hall and Waltham Forest Pool and Track in Chingford Road for the borough’s Festival of Sport, to take part in activities from boxing to running and climbing.

Both events were celebrations of London 2012, and Waltham Forest Council leader Chris Robbins said they had helped make 2012 a “memorable year” for the people of the borough.

The Godiva sculpture arrived powered by a team of 100 cyclists, and travelled through Chingford before it was met with a carnival procession in Walthamstow, both ending up at the town hall where people were also entertained by a dance show as part of the carnival.

The six-metre tall figure took two-and-a-half years to build as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, and represents art from the West Midlands.

Mayor Richard Sweden was presented with a Book of Intent expressing the hopes of young people from the region.

Meanwhile at the Pool and Track, dozens of sports clubs from around the borough performed demonstrations for the public, who watched and even took part, many signing up to clubs amid the excitement over the Olympics.

Councillor Robbins said: “We’re doing ourselves proud as an Olympic borough. For our residents they have had a fabulous Olympics. We’ve made sure they’ve had a very memorable year.

“It’s been a brilliant, joyous day and I just hope we can capture this enthusiasm and run it through 2013 and 2014. “People have loved these big events and it goes to show how things like this really bring people together.”

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