London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme Discovering Places will launch over the weekend of 23 - 25 July. Its launch will be part of Open Weekend, the Cultural Olympiad annual UK-wide celebration that marks the count down to the Olympic and Paralympic Games: www.london2012.com/openweekend.

You can be involved in the Discovering Places launch as we start the campaign to inspire the UK to discover their local environment – with all its hidden places, extraordinary spaces and the stories they have to tell.

Through a series of activities and events over this weekend Discovering Places will be bringing the natural, historic and built environment to the fore.

Using the UK’s interest and awareness of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to reach new audiences, your activity or event will be part of the Open Weekend media and PR campaign. Marketing materials and support will also available.

You can be part of Discovering Places if your activity or event:

• Is free at the point of access
• Is actively engaged in either natural, built or historic environments
• Meets the Open Weekend “challenge” theme:

This year we're asking organisations to create a challenge for their audience - to try something new or take an existing skill to a new level. For example, if you are a nature reserve that normally has a programme of walks – for Discovering Places you could:

• Create a new one off walk with an Olympic and Paralympic theme
• Design a treasure hunt in the reserve
• Have a walk lead by a local sporting personality
• Get a local sports club to collaborate and promote the walk

To register your activity and or event you will need to fill out the Open Weekend registration form. If your event meets the above Discovering Places qualification, please tick the Discovering Places box on the form. We will then be in touch with you within 10 days of registering to progress your application with you, with information to follow on access to marketing materials if your event qualifies.

To give more information on the process, the attached sheet sets out how to join in the launch of Discovering Places. If after reading this you have further queries or want to discuss your application, then please do get in touch.

Catharine Bull - C.Bull@heritagelink.org.uk
Discovering Places Project Co-ordinator