Olympic Dinner

Olympic Dinner

Olympic Dinner, Leeds Castle, Kent

Apparently something called the “Olympics” is coming to the UK soon – anyone know anything about it? Of course. How could you miss it? It’s everywhere. The funding is debated in Parliament, the buildings are rapidly sprouting out of the East London soil, and the psychedelic logo (i like it, actually) emblazens everything from Coke Can’s to accountants’ email stationery. As you might imagine it’s also the subject of much debate in the firework world – the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games really are as big as it gets for pyrotechnicians, so let’s hope that those in charge appoint a UK company to produce those shows. After London defying the doubters and pipping Paris to be awarded the Games there would be a certain sad irony if Groupe F – famous for their ground-breaking Millennium display at the Eiffel Tower – are on the roof of the Olympic Stadium in East London on 27th July 2012…

But however much we personally get excited about the Opening and Closing Ceremony Pyro, for the rest of the world the real fireworks will take place on the track, in the swimming pool, in the velodrome etc, so who are the rising British stars who could illuminate the London 2012 Games and push the host nation up the medal table? Well here’s a name to watch out for – Jacqui Gould. She’s a young archer from Maidstone who has fought back from serious inujury to compete at national and international level. Judging by the impressive way she started the firework display by firing a flaming arrow from Castle Island into the moat she certainly knows how to handle her bow, and we all hope that the golden fireworks inspire her to a gold medal in 2 years time. And, if you’ll permit us to dream some more, we might even be watching from the roof of that stadium as she triumphantly carries the flag into the Closing Ceremony.

“Amazing!” Victoria Wallace, Managing Director, Leeds Castle