Saturday 27th July 2013: Sainsbury's Anniversary Games (Day 2)
Saturday 27th July 2013 was my third-time volunteering as Park Champion but it was somewhat different from my previous shifts. I had an air of deep joy whilst having a heart-aching desire to go back one year when I was in the final rehearsal before performing in the Olympic Opening Ceremony. The Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games brought back a lot of memories causing my emotional landscape to fluctuate dramatically! It was my first time since London 2012 at walking across Bridge B towards the stadium. Plus, that morning, I had to pick up another accreditation in addition to my NewhamActive ID laminate. My hairs stood on edge as I approached the stadium whilst smelling that London 2012 smell.
That day was different – I can only talk for myself, but it felt that our volunteer roles that day were more crucial than ever. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was hosting the Open East Festival as well as the Anniversary Games both of which needed the assistance from us – the Park Champions (cue the heroic music whilst we stand with our hands on our hips)! I was asked to go around the park to collect feedback for this blog as well as a report I write for the volunteer team. So I did my usual thing of going around with my assistant speaking with my fellow volunteers to see how they felt about what they were doing. A lot of us were constantly being asked by the visitors for directions to the nearest loo. This seems to be an overarching theme running throughout the events this summer. One thing is for certain; there is always a lot of urination going on at these events!
In between interviewing volunteers, I was excited to find two of the vehicles which were featured in the Paralympics Closing Ceremony truck invasion. Actually, I performed close to the ‘THE BEAST FROM THE EAST ‘ (I think that is what it’s called anyway!); a fact which called for a photo of me posing in front of it!
As the day went on, my role changed when I put myself forward to distribute water to volunteers. As with any large-scale events, despite how much planning is done, things can go in another direction, and this is the beauty about working at these types of events – anything can happen. And that is exactly what happened! There was suddenly a need for somebody to ensure that water got around to the volunteers. I found myself filling that need. Boring? Nope. I knew that I was being useful, so I got on with it! My fellow volunteers were pleased when they saw water coming their way!
By this time, it was time to go home before the mad rush started of the crowds exiting the park. I went home only to prepare myself for the next day back at the park!
Thanks,
J
Monday, 5 August 2013
James Rose Entry 2
Saturday 20th July 2013 Electric Daisy Carnival
Volunteering at the Electric Daisy Carnival (or EDC for short!) was very different from helping out at the Mumford & Sons concert two weeks prior. Different crowd, different energy, and a totally different feel! I was put on pathfinder duties where I stood outside the park holding a massive foam hand pointing and directing visitors towards the park entrance. Call me crazy but this was fab as I always wanted to handle a foam hand so this was the day to fulfil that desire. It was exciting, but not too exciting because that would be weird!
This also bought a challenge – yes, holding a foam hand can bring exciting challenges – read on, and you’ll understand! I was given a right-handed foam hand (say that five times quickly!) which meant that I had to hold it in my right-hand in order for the finger to point in the right direction. Right? I tried other techniques involving wedging my foam friend in between my forehead and my glasses or holding the foam hand on my lap balanced on one of its edges. Alas, neither of these worked. I finally settled on holding it in my right hand.
Everything was electric – people were coming past wearing the most preposterous and amazing colours. Shocking pinks, greens, and yellows, paraded by as we smiled and waved. One fellow volunteer I spoke with, “V”, said how nice it was to be out in the sunshine facilitating people having a good time. It had that summer holiday feel to the day.
Some passers-by made a point of playing dumb in order for them to ask us for directions which was a laugh! After our arduous (!) shift, we were given free tickets to the EDC which was amazing. I initially headed for the “Disabled” platform viewing area which was almost
deserted. However, after finishing my packed lunch containing the
most fantastic yoghurt-topped flapjack I’ve ever had, I joined the crowd in front of the main stage. It was much more intense feeling the beat through the ground surrounded by other crazy-mad peeps!
After two-hours of dancing, I decided to head back home early to beat the crowd of eighty-thousand. It was a fabtastic day and I am soo looking the next event!
Thanks,
J
Volunteering at the Electric Daisy Carnival (or EDC for short!) was very different from helping out at the Mumford & Sons concert two weeks prior. Different crowd, different energy, and a totally different feel! I was put on pathfinder duties where I stood outside the park holding a massive foam hand pointing and directing visitors towards the park entrance. Call me crazy but this was fab as I always wanted to handle a foam hand so this was the day to fulfil that desire. It was exciting, but not too exciting because that would be weird!
This also bought a challenge – yes, holding a foam hand can bring exciting challenges – read on, and you’ll understand! I was given a right-handed foam hand (say that five times quickly!) which meant that I had to hold it in my right-hand in order for the finger to point in the right direction. Right? I tried other techniques involving wedging my foam friend in between my forehead and my glasses or holding the foam hand on my lap balanced on one of its edges. Alas, neither of these worked. I finally settled on holding it in my right hand.
Everything was electric – people were coming past wearing the most preposterous and amazing colours. Shocking pinks, greens, and yellows, paraded by as we smiled and waved. One fellow volunteer I spoke with, “V”, said how nice it was to be out in the sunshine facilitating people having a good time. It had that summer holiday feel to the day.
Some passers-by made a point of playing dumb in order for them to ask us for directions which was a laugh! After our arduous (!) shift, we were given free tickets to the EDC which was amazing. I initially headed for the “Disabled” platform viewing area which was almost
deserted. However, after finishing my packed lunch containing the
most fantastic yoghurt-topped flapjack I’ve ever had, I joined the crowd in front of the main stage. It was much more intense feeling the beat through the ground surrounded by other crazy-mad peeps!
After two-hours of dancing, I decided to head back home early to beat the crowd of eighty-thousand. It was a fabtastic day and I am soo looking the next event!
Thanks,
J
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