Sussex people at the heart of the Olympics
5:30pm Friday 27th July 2012 in News By Ben James
Organisers have billed it as the greatest show on earth.
And around Sussex, athletes, businessmen, chefs, sports centre managers and performers are finalising their preparations for the sporting action.
We may not be hosting any events, but being not that far from the Olympic Park, countless numbers of Sussex residents are involved in some way.
Of course the main focus will be on the sport and we have a number of home grown competitors taking part.
Mark Hawkins, from Horsham, is one of the Team GB’s handball stars.
Speaking from the balcony of his Olympic Village bedroom yesterday, he said: “We are all just excited to get out there now. We have put in the work over the last five years and we are eager to convert that into good results in the next few weeks.
“We’ve been at the Olympic Village for a couple of days now and it’s just incredible. The place is like a fully functioning small town – there’s a medical centre, bar and a huge dining room.
“Everyone is fairly relaxed and having a good time at the moment but I expect that will change after the opening ceremony.”
Tonight’s official opening of the Games has been the subject of numerous headlines and news bulletins over the past weeks.
Opening ceremony
And while bosses have largely kept the details under wraps, Brighton performer Philippa Vafadari gave The Argus an insight into the preparations and what we can expect.
She said: “It has been fantastic working with Danny Boyle, he has a fantastic way with people and always tries to come and speak to you in small groups.
“I can’t really say much but it will be a gentle and rather nice celebration of Britishness rather than an offensive and jingoistic one.
“We’ve had two dress rehearsals, each in front of 80,000 people, and barring a couple of technical glitches it has gone well.”
The Argus pushed for the name of the final torchbearer but Philippa claimed not to know, adding that some parts of the ceremony will be a surprise to performers.
Although few have managed to get tickets, thousands will get the opportunity to be part of an incredible atmosphere on Brighton beach.
A 100sq ft LED screen will be in place for the duration of the Games showing events and a series of films.
With the attraction set to draw thousands to the seafront, bars and restaurants have been ordering extra food and drink, hoping that the screen will make up for the bad weather.
Emilio Savvides, manager of the Regency restaurant in nearby Kings Road, said that he had already seen an influx of foreign visitors booking.
He said: “They come down on the train from London for day trips, it’s great for business. We have ordered extra food and drink and have staff scheduled to work extra shifts.
“We haven’t put on any themed nights or anything because to be honest we just want to get through it. It’s going to be hectic.”
Tourism boost
Tourism bosses have said that it may not be until 2013 and 2014 that we see the true benefits of the Games.
Adam Bates, from VisitBrighton, said: “No doubt there will be a few more visitors but in the past host countries have seen the real benefit over the following couple of years. Viewers see the locations and book holidays as a result. It might not be immediate but I think we will benefit.”
But the real legacy of the Games is supposed to be the sport.
Many have questioned the extent of such promises, but Brighton’s Yellowave beach volleyball facility has already seen increases in bookings.
Manager Elly Trimingham said: “We have had to put on extra coaching sessions and leagues and the Games haven’t even started.
“Things can only get better and we hope the London Olympics will give the sport and Yellowave a real boost.”
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
County Championship round-up: Finn and Onions stake claim for Test spot - The Independent
UFC: Mario Balotelli needs to take a look at ‘Shotgun’
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Source: www.independent.co.uk
1948 Olympics: King George attends opening ceremony of Austerity Olympics - The Guardian
Wembley, Thursday.
Nearly 90,000 people of all nations came to Wembley Stadium this afternoon and saw the King proclaim open the Olympic Games of London in celebration of "the fourteenth Olympiad of the modern era." Today was given wholly to ceremony and to the march past of the athletes, the arrival of the torchbearer, the kindling of the fire, and the pronouncement of the oath. Tomorrow the athletes begin their "loyal competition."
It was a brilliant afternoon of fierce heat and the scene inside the great stadium had a lightness and delicacy that one has never before witnessed in England. Not a dark garment was to be seen except the morning coats of the Olympic committee-men. The stands were like a gigantic hanging garden of mixed stocks whose colours were pastel-blue and pink.
Not a man – apart from those high officials – wore his coat and many knotted their handkerchiefs around their heads. The scarlet of the massed bands of the Brigade of Guards and the bearskins of their busbies stood out boldly against this soft colour and hard white of the choir.
The Manchester Guardian's headline for the Olympic opening ceremony in July 1948 The quadrangle of turf on which the jumping and hurling will be done was still emerald in spite of the baking heat of the past few days and it was bright by contrast with the track of red shale. Even the drab concrete of the stadium walls was mellowed by the sunshine.
The ceremony began at two o'clock with a fanfare by the trumpeters of the Household Cavalry, their gilt coats pale lemon in this blinding light. Then came the scarlet Grenadiers, the Scots Guards, with their drums, pipes and fifes, and the visitors to England learned what a precision of marching can be attained even in a peace-loving and democratic land.
The King arrived with the Queen, Princess Margaret, and Queen Mary. He went on to the track and shook hands with the committee-men in front of the silk-draped tribune of honour. In the royal enclosure were the Shah of Iran, Prince Bernhard and Mr Trygve Lie. The National Anthem was played and the march past began.
It is impossible even for those who love good sport to put aside entirely a certain amount of cynicism about the Games. The ballyhoo can be nauseating and it can be absurd too when it reveals the chemical composition of the Olympic flame or makes a mystery of the identity of the final torchbearer. But one found the cynicism dissipating as the fine youth of the sixty-one nations marched with their standards past the royal box.
The salute of 21 guns began and as the vibration of the last one ceased the crowd cried: "The torch!"
At the east end of the stadium one saw an athlete in white holding aloft the torch. Its flame was white against the golden light of late afternoon and it burned with the resolution of an incendiary bomb. He began to make his circuit of the track, running easily and with a perfection of style not easily to be attained when one arm must be still.
His identity had now been revealed. He was John Mark, aged 23, height 6ft 3in., the Surrey Londoner who won the quarter-mile for Cambridge two years ago. But he is an all-round athlete who at Cranleigh got his colours for Rugby, cricket, and hockey as well as athletics.
The teams in the arena shared the excitement of the crowd. Many broke rank and raced across the turf to watch him coming down the back straight, the torch leaving a burning trail of white heat on the shale. The Greeks never saw anything like that. Then he touched his torch to the white bowl on the peristyle, and it gave off clear flame of rich gold.
Editorial in the Manchester Guardian the day after the 1948 opening ceremony Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Wembley man killed in 'gangland execution' - Harrow Times
Wembley man killed in 'gangland execution'
11:10am Friday 27th July 2012 in News By Natalie O'Neill
The murder of a man believed to be from Wembley has been described as a professional ‘gangland execution.’
The 21-year-old victim, who has been named locally as Reece James, was shot dead in the face by members of a rival gang at a flat in Boscombe, Bournemouth, on Wednesday, July 25.
It was described by Tobias Ellwood, an MP from Bournemouth, as “a spillover from the drugs turf war in the capital”.
He added: “This was one London gang chasing down another, carrying out a professional hit and then going back.”
Police were called at approximately 2.26am. Ambulance crew attended but the man, who has been named on social media sites as Reece, aka, Stylie, was declared dead at the scene.
Officers threw a huge cordon around the crime scene in Roumelia Lane after the shooting.
The body remained at the scene of the crime until yesterday afternoon to allow for detailed forensic examination without disturbing the crime scene.
It was removed and further tests were due to be carried out before the formal identification procedure.
The victim’s next of kin have been informed of his death but no family members are believed to have yet visited Bournemouth.
Tributes left for the victim online indicated he was a member of the Church Road Soldiers, a gang known to operate out of the Church End Estate in Harlesden.
Yesterday police arrested one man, aged 22.
Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Connolly, of Dorset Police ’s major crime team, said: “We are still investigating the circumstances of this death but I believe this was a pre-planned and targeted attack by a number of offenders.
“I would like to reassure the local community that there is no immediate concern for the safety of the public.”
It’s understood that enquiries are focussing on a number of areas of London as well as locally.
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Source: www.harrowtimes.co.uk
Wat DJ: New Watford boss Gianfranco Zola eyes move for QPR striker DJ Campbell - Daily Mirror
Gianfranco Zola is trying to bolster Watford's attack with a move for QPR's DJ Campbell.
Striker Campbell, 30, made just two Premier League starts for Rangers last season.
He struggled with injuries following a move from Blackpool.
The forward is now surplus to requirements at Loftus Road.
But he is keen to stay in London and is willing to join the Championship Hornets under new boss Zola following the club's Italian takeover.
Read more:
Watford eye living legends: Del Piero and Inzaghi are targets for Hornets
Watford challenge for Chalobah: Hornets boss to raid old club Chelsea for youngster
Handy Andros: Watford want to take Spurs youngster Townsend on loan
Source: www.mirror.co.uk
Dyche cools Crawley talk - SkySports
Dyche is thought to be Crawley's first-choice target as they seek a replacement for Sean O'Driscoll following his switch to Nottingham Forest.
Dyche is currently out of work after having his contract terminated by Watford earlier this month following the takeover by Italian group the Pozzo family.
The 41-year-old, who took charge at Watford in June 2011, led the club to a highly creditable 11th-placed finish in the Championship last season despite being forced to sell several of their best players.
Crawley are keen to appoint Dyche as their new boss as they prepare for life in League One.
However Sky Sports also understands that, although Dyche is free to work, Watford are still to settle his contract.
It means Crawley may be forced to switch their attentions elsewhere as they look to bring in a new manager as soon as possible with the new season less than a month away.
Source: www1.skysports.com
Is embargo the reason for lack of Watford signings? (From Watford Observer) - Watford Observer
Is a transfer embargo the reason for the lack of Watford signings despite seven new arrivals?
8:00am Friday 27th July 2012 in Sport By Frank Smith
The Football League and Watford have both refused to comment on whether the club’s lack of signings is due to a transfer embargo.
The Hornets have no less than seven new players, some of whom have been there more than two weeks, but there has been no confirmation on any signings.
Adrian Mariappa and Scott Loach both departed Watford last week but the club have yet to announce the arrival of any players.
Free agents Manuel Almunia and Fitz Hall and ‘trialists’ Daniel Pudil, Matej Vydra, Almen Abdi, Ikechi Anya and Steve Leo Beleck have all been training with the club and have travelled with the squad for games.
When asked why there has been such a long delay in announcing signings, Watford chief executive Scott Duxbury said: “There has been an extensive evaluation process ongoing since the start of pre-season involving a number of players – some of whom have featured in the friendly matches played so far.
“Official announcements and confirmations will be communicated via watfordfc.com, the club’s website, when it is appropriate to do so.”
The Watford Observer contacted the Football League and the Hornets on Wednesday to ask if the club were subject to a transfer embargo due to either the takeover or the Golden Boys’ HM Revenue & Customs bill. Both refused to confirm or deny.
Watford stated the club’s takeover has been fully ratified by the Football League but they refused to comment on whether they have paid their HMRC bill and how much the sum is.
The Hornets also refused to confirm if the Yellow and Red Lion Pub has changed hands following the club’s takeover, as former owner Laurence Bassini had stated he would be given the pub as part of the sale.
Granada left-back Pudil and Udinese midfielder Abdi have played in all three of Watford’s pre-season matches so far and Granada winger Anya and Udinese forward Leo Beleck both featured in the second half of Tuesday night’s win over Cork City.
Udinese striker Vydra has yet to play due to fitness issues, Hall went to the Wealdstone game on Saturday but did not make the squad and Almunia was an unused substitute in Ireland.
The Watford Observer have reported on the arrival of Pudil, Vydra, Abdi, Almunia and Hall in the last couple of weeks and on Saturday Anya and Beleck were spotted at a Hornets game for the first time.
Anya, 24, is a pacy winger who was born in Glasgow and started his professional career at Wycombe Wanderers, becoming the club’s youngest player in 2004 at the age of 16.
But he was released and after spending time at Oxford City and Halesowen Town, he joined the Glenn Hoddle Academy on the recommendation of John Gorman, who he worked with at Wycombe.
A brief stay at Northampton Town followed before a switch to Spain and Sevilla’s reserve side, and then Celta Vigo B.
He joined Granada last summer and was immediately loaned to Cadiz, who have links with the La Liga outfit.
Beleck is a strong 19-year-old forward who joined Udinese from Panthrakikos two years ago but has yet to make his debut for the Little Zebras and was loaned out to AEK Athens last season.
After a difficult start, he made 21 appearances and scored six times. Leo Beleck also featured in the Europa League six times.
The Watford Observer understands the Hornets are likely to add to the seven potential signings they have already lined up.
One of the players we expect the club to approach is former Watford forward Tommy Smith , who is currently at Premier League side Queens Park Rangers.
Smith started his career at Vicarage Road and after three years away at Sunderland and then Derby County, he returned to the club in 2006, where he remained for three years – winning the Player of the Season Trophy twice in consecutive years.
Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
Sussex economy bucking trend - The Argus.co.uk
Sussex economy bucking trend
7:20pm Friday 27th July 2012 in News
Sussex businesses are bucking the economic trend.
Surprising figures showed the nation’s economy shrank by a worse-than-expected 0.7% between April and June.
But business leaders in the county said that confidence remained strong in Sussex.
They said that the private sector was doing all it could to create jobs but that the government must help to create conditions for future growth.
Julia Chanteray, the president of Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is dispiriting that the recession’s deepening at a time when the country really ought to be in recovery.
“This is not what the government promised and an economic u-turn is far overdue, particularly when it comes to helping business. The growth we so desperately need will start with businesses.
“In Brighton and Hove we’re fortunate enough to be seeing growth and we’re doing all we can to help companies prosper, but it’s all coming from businesses doing it for themselves, with no help from those who control the national purse strings.”
Wendy Bell, the general manager of Sussex Enterprise, the county’s chamber of commerce, said: “We believe that the disappointing figure paints an unduly pessimistic picture of the state of the economy.
“Many of our members are continuing with guarded optimism, but the government must ensure confidence is not damaged further.
“The main aim must now be to focus on measures that will help businesses grow, invest and create jobs.
“We need a government that will pull the levers only it can reach to help companies export, invest, create new jobs and grow.
“That means infrastructure investment, the creation of a state-backed business bank to lend to new and growing companies and meaningful deregulation.”
Victoria Mason, an accountant at Cardens Accountancy in Church Road, said there were plenty of new businesses starting up across the city.
She said: “We have taken on eight new people since the start of the year. I have seen a lot of new businesses from a big furniture franchise to small mobile app companies. There is business to be won out there.”
Peter Jenkins, the boss at technology and software company e-advantage, said that his sales are up 72% year-on-year.
He said: “You need to do a lot more work to win business in this climate but it is out there. This time last year there was just me. Since then I have taken on an apprentice, two contractors and a marketing executive.”
Have you got a business story? Email john.keenan@theargus.co.uk or call 01273 544545.
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Barbecue 'Armageddon' on Brighton beaches - BBC News
A pub landlord has called for on-the-spot fines for those flouting council rules against barbecues on the beaches and open spaces of Brighton and Hove.
Chris Taylor said he was on the seafront on Wednesday evening, where hundreds of barbecues were making the scene "look like Armageddon".
"There was thick, heavy, acrid-smelling lighter fuel-infused smoke all the way across the seafront," he said.
The city council said it had no powers to enforce the barbecue bylaws.
Barbecues are not allowed between the two Brighton piers or any of the beaches between Fourth Avenue and Hove Street or on Hove lawns, the promenade or the surrounding rules.
Barbecues are allowed on other beaches after 6pm.
Mr Taylor, landlord of The Greys, in Southover Street, said he saw barbecues in areas where they were not allowed, some only a few feet from signs banning them.
He said he and his wife were intending to visit one of the bars or cafes on the seafront but had gone to Shoreham instead.
"There were lots of other people standing and looking aghast at what was happening before their eyes and noses," he said, adding that there should be penalties, such as on-the-spot fines, for people flouting the rules.
"They can do it with traffic wardens and parking so why can't they give people the power to do that down here?"
Brighton and Hove City Council said the barbecue rules were intended to encourage beach users to behave in a safe and considerate way.
Seafront officer Jay Hunter said: "We have no legal power. We can't issue on-the-spot fines.
"It's how we approach people. We have to manage each situation as it comes and do our very best to try and get through to that person the rules and regulations."
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
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