Herefordshire MPs Join Forces For Olympic Bid

MPs Paul Keetch and Bill Wiggin have added their support to Herefordshire’s Olympic bid to bring the 2012 London Games to the county.

Mr Keetch, the Lib Dem member for Hereford, and Mr Wiggin, Conservative representative for Leominster, will attend the next meeting of Herefordshire’s Olympic/Paralympic Group (HOPG) when project leaders will discuss exciting new developments including a new partnership between Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council.

Under the partnership both counties will work together in a bid to attract paralympic teams to the area as a preparatory base ahead of the Paralympics.

Both counties want to capitalise on their outstanding facilities for the disabled, renowned internationally for excellence, using the Royal National College for the Blind (RNCB), in Hereford, Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled, near Leominster and Worcester’s RNIB New College as camps for paralympians.

Worcester’s university and Herefordshire’s leisure facilities, run by halo, would also be used by teams to acclimatise before the main competition starts in London.

“We are delighted that our county MPs have agreed to join the next partnership meeting of the Herefordshire Olympic/Paralympic Group,” said Herefordshire Council’s Project Leader, Peter Shaw.

“Their attendance shows how serious this bid is and will help to raise the profile of our work.

“Herefordshire Council and its partnership members has led the way on this exciting project and we’re very happy to welcome Worcestershire County Council on board.

“By combining our efforts in such a way we are able to make the most of the excellent facilities in the area – a crucial element if we are to be successful in attracting teams.” 

Herefordshire’s Olympic/Paralympic Group, which includes Herefordshire Council, Herefordshire Sports Council, Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled, the Royal National College for the Blind, leisure trust halo, voluntary groups and now Worcestershire County Council, has already held advanced talks with regional as well as national organisers to push the counties’ case.

It is anticipated halo facilities will be upgraded while The Royal National College for the Blind and Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled both plan to build multi-million pound centres of excellence to cater for paralympians.

Organisers are also planning to stage cultural festivals, street entertainment and specials sports tournaments to coincide with the 2012 Games.