The following Discovering Places events will take place in the West Midlands over the weekend of 23-25 July. Full listings can be found at http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/upcoming-events/index.php
"Making Links", Dudley MBC & Sandwell MBC , West Midlands - celebrate the great chain-making industry of the Black Country at a performance in chain factory;
History in the headstones, West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust, West Midlands - visit Lye & Wollescote Cemetery, a hidden green landscape in an otherwise built-up area to hear true stories about people who lived and worked in this Black Country town in the period of the industrial revolution;
Artwalk2010, Come:Unity Arts, Birmingham – explore art, culture and heritage in Handsworth;
Uncovering the Wyre Forest, Bewdley Museum, Worcestershire - a weekend of activities including, guided walks, flying falcons and family activities;
Walking As One, Rhubarb-Rhubarb, Birmingham - be a part of the incredible image made by Hungarian artist Adam Magyar and come and join in with a Walk for the Camera. Then come back and find yourself on the large scale image installation on the hoarding around of one of Europe's most significant cultural buildings, the New Library of Birmingham;
Kites on The Stiperstones, Natural England, Shropshire – find out about the magnificence red kites that soar above The Stiperstones;
Museum on the Move, Bromsgrove District Council, Worcestershire – come along to Museum on the Move in Bromsgrove to share memories and learn more about the history of Bromsgrove.
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.’
Rhonda Wilson, Creative Director of Rhubarb-Rhubarb said: "When we discover places its often something which we do by accident, or after looking them up on the internet! Or about that moment of realisation, when you connect with somewhere, either for the first time, or with a new feeling. But 'Discovering Places' makes this a shared experience and recognises that there is joy to be found in even the smallest find! A reminder that our local environment can be exciting and full of stories."
The 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