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Discovering Places aims to encourage communities to get out and explore the hidden gems on their doorstep, from historic castles to contemporary townscapes, woodland trails and local wildlife. Events planned for Yorkshire and Humberside include learning to Geo cache at Humberhead Peatlands, a dawn walk along the route of King Harald's army, a Mad Hatterz Tea Party and the chance to explore the hidden world of museums as well as many others.
Many of the Discovering Places events are run on a voluntary basis and all will offer free entry to anyone interested in discovering more about their local environment
The programme launches on the London 2012 Open Weekend supported by BP - a weekend of sporting, arts and cultural challenges set up across the UK to share in the nation's two year countdown to the start of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Now in its third year, Open Weekend enables everyone across the UK to share in the excitement of the Games and actively celebrate the two year countdown by challenging themselves to trying something new or taking an interest to a further level.
Discovering Places will use the power of the Games to inspire communities across the UK to celebrate and discover the natural, built and historic environments. This weekend of events offers local communities across the UK the chance to participate in the London 2012Cultural Olympiad programme, challenging them to seek out the unfamiliar and explore something new in their everyday environment. Discovering Places is principally funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor and delivered in partnership between The Heritage Alliance and London 2012.
Ian Lush, Discovering Places Director for The Heritage Alliance, comments: 'Discovering Places events aim to engage local communities with the wider Olympic programme and foster the spirit of the Games by challenging local people to explore the unfamiliar and discover something new in their own back yard.'
Janet Paraskeva, Chair of the Olympic Lottery Distributor said: 'It is important that local communities have the opportunity to discover and explore their local environment. As a major funder of the Cultural Olympiad we are delighted that National Lottery funding is supporting communities to do just that across the UK.'
Kate Bennett, Public Realm Learning Manager, Beam said: 'We are delighted to be encouraging people to discover new places where they live. This is a great opportunity for people to find out about amazing places across the Yorkshire region. At our Mad Hatterz Tea Party young poets, musicians and performers in Wakefield will showcase their talents and we invite the general public to come and discover the Orangery one of Wakefield's hidden cultural gems. Everyone is welcome to join in the madness and come in fancy dress, bring a picnic and of course there will be tea and cakes!'
The following Discovering Places events will take place in Yorkshire and Humberside over the weekend of 23-25 July. Full listings can be found at http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/upcoming-events/index.php
- Behind the scenes at a Museum, Leeds Museum Discovery Centre, Leeds - fabulous opportunity to delve into the rarely seen museum's store and objects not normally seen by the public;
- Tasting the Past, Museums Sheffield, Sheffield - find out what Henry VIII ate for breakfast and what Queen Victoria liked for tea by joining in with a range of food-related activities;
- Mad Hatterz Tea Party, Beam, Wakefield - 'Alice in Wonderland' themed event with local groups of young artists, musicians, dancers, poets and performers to showcase local young talent and discover the historic Orangery and garden;
- Medieval Games, Wakefield Council, Pontefract - a unique opportunity to step back in time and participate in an exciting range of medieval activities at Pontefract Castle;
- Sheffield My International City, Art in the Park, Sheffield - street art and performance celebration of a local community and green space;
- Life at No.57: The Sheffield Terraced House Dig, Heeley City Farm, Sheffield share the excitement of archaeological discovery first hand and join the community archaeology excavation at Heeley City Farm;
- Siege Knaresborough Castle Harrogate Museums and Arts, Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire storm Knaresborough Castle through the sallyport with weapons made by participants;
- King Harald's Riccall rampage; The Battlefield Trust , East Riding of Yorkshire- feel what it felt like to be part of King Harald's army and join a dawn walk along the route of King Harald's army made in 1066;
- British Festival of Archaeology, Natural England, East Riding of Yorkshire - fun and interesting archaeology activities for families and individuals on Skipwith Common;
- Time travelling treasure games, Dales Countryside Museum, North Yorkshire go to Hawes and take part in the historic treasures of the Dales games tournament;
- Geo caching at Humberhead Peatlands, Natural England, East Riding of Yorkshire - learn how to geo cache on Hatfield Moors.
The above events will take place alongside hundreds of other Discovering Places events and Open Weekend challenges across the UK ranging from learning a new dance or piece of music an hour before it is performed, to talent contests, learning stonemasonry skills to create your own sundial to 3 kilometre relay races through unusual places, sports days and guided bicycle rides, there is an opportunity for everyone to challenge themselves to discover something new or take an interest to another level. Full listings can be found at http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/upcoming-events/index.php
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