Agenda 2019

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/sadiq-khan-west-ham-inquiry-cost-converting-olympic-stadium-mayor-retractable-seats-a7392056.html Mayor orders inquiry after cost of converting Olympic Stadium rises by £51m  Installation of “retractable” seats as costs soar.  There never was and never will be an "Olympic legacy", for any town or city in the United Kingdom. Except that is the continuing "legacy" of additional costs for maintenance, repairs, or as in this case, converting the Olympic Stadium to install retractable seating. The total cost of the stadium so far, is £752m, originally estimated to be £534 and which is taxpayer funded, in addition to the continual costs of maintaining or converting a number of other "white elephant" facilities around the country. The United kingdom is learning what other host nations in cities like Vancouver, Athens, Sydney and others have come to realise over the years.  The whole idea of some tangibl...

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/10820077.Olympic_legacy_for_Weymouth_and_Portland_is_going_begging_says_House_of_Lord_report/ Olympic legacy for Weymouth and Portland is going begging says House of Lord report What legacy?   There never was and never will be an "Olympic legacy", for Weymouth or for any other town or city in the United Kingdom. The whole idea of some tangible benefits for the British people extending for years to come, was a myth generated by government propaganda to justify £millions of expenditure of tax payers money to convince everybody that it was "a good idea and good for Britain". The fact is that a few big companies and the Corporate hospitality industry made a great deal of money and a few short term employment opportunities were created, but many of these were in fact,  filled by foreign workers. The "Weymouth Tower" is a classic example. The United kingdom is learning what other host nations in cities like Vancouv...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/23/athletics-glory-and-cuts-lead-to-clubs-crisis After the Olympic glory, cash crisis hits athletics clubs The legacy The "Olympic legacy", was always nothing more than a myth, a mirage generated by the government and the myriad vested interests, all conspiring to sell the proposition that if we, the taxpayers, spent £ billions there would be long term benefits for public and sports facilities across the country. Anyone at the time or since, arguing that the Olympics were a waste of money, particularly at a period of national austerity, were labeled as killjoys, or worse, as the level of overspend on the project grew and grew out of control. The taxpayers in this country do not have an " Olympic legacy" other than the millstone of paying for the extravaganza for years to come, while the athlete's go back to trawling round the charities and local councils with the begging bowl.

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/10017835.OLYMPIC_LEGACY__Weymouth_and_Portland_hotels_missed_third_of_expected_guests/?ref=mr  HOTELIERS and guesthouse owners failed to attract a third of staying visitors during the Games Hotels on Weymouth   This comes as no surprise to anyone. Prior to the Games, Weymouth and Portland Council  ran, as it turned out, a very successful publicity campaign advising people all over the country to avoid Weymouth traffic congestion during the course of the Olympic sailing events. The discovery of cracks in the ferry terminal also came at a fortuitous time for the Council, resulting in Condor Ferries being prevented from using the terminal  prior to the Games commencing and for the duration of the events. However, the subsequent decision to prevent Condor using Portland as an alternative terminal while the repairs were carried out, on the grounds that "the increase in traffic through the town (Weymouth), would cause severe ...

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/10017816.OLYMPIC_LEGACY__The_thousands_who_did_not_turn_up_in_Weymouth_and_Portland/?ref=mr VISITOR numbers to the Olympic sailing events in Weymouth and Portland failed to meet expectations following years of building up to the 2012 Games. Weymouth during the Olympics  No matter what spin County council leader and transport spokesman Angus Campbell may try to put on it, the failure of the Olympic Games in Weymouth was the result of a classic example of councils "shooting themselves in the foot"...........again!

  http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9893687.Top_retailer_quits_Weymouth_town_centre/?ref=mr WEYMOUTH’S high street has been dealt another blow as it is revealed a major retailer will leave town after more than 25 years. Never mind the "Olympic legacy". Weymouth is dying. Charity shops and "here today, gone tomorrow" shops, in many cases selling only tack and cheap rubbish do nothing for the town. There will soon be yet another "To let" sign in St Mary Street.

  http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9889734.Weymouth_Bayside_Festival_Organisers_apologise_for_flop/?ref=mr ORGANISERS of the failed Bayside Festival have apologised for leaving people out of pocket. Joe Hall, managing director of Mainsail, the company that ran the stricken venture, spoke to the Echo as administrators for his firm announced it will go into voluntary liquidation at the end of the month. from DORSET ECHO: 19th July 2012.   " Weymouth and Portland Olympic travel advice row It comes after hoteliers and traders told the Echo that radio adverts telling people the area will be congested has put visitors off. Weymouth taxi driver Eddie Hawkins fears the ‘fiasco’ will destroy summer-time trade as people will be put off from coming to the area at all. He said: “The council have been telling people not to come in their cars and now South West trains are telling them to drive as the trains will be busy. It is absolutely ludicrous. ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-19108734     A major attraction that was a part of Weymouth's celebrations for the Olympic sailing events has closed after lower than expected visitor numbers.   The organisers of the Weymouth Bayside Festival have gone into liquidation. On Saturday, June 9th I wrote on "New Agenda" under the title " Can the Olympics work for Weymouth ?" that , " No matter what the pro Olympics publicity machine may churn out for public consumption, there is not as much enthusiasm for the extravaganza as they would like us to believe.". Sadly, the closure of this attraction, results in traders and employees being left out of pocket. One trader said, "It's been quiet in Weymouth since the beginning of the Olympics but now there's nothing going on at all." It seems that after all the pre games hype, reality is now beginning to dawn.

  http://news.sky.com/story/966090/tory-mp-forced-to-say-sorry-over-olympic-gaffe  A Conservative MP has been forced to apologise I did not see the ceremony and therefore cannot comment on the "multi-cultural crap" remark. However, if that is what Aidan Burley thinks then so be it. The thought police of Downing Street and elsewhere have enough influence in this country already. Like the "Senior Source" in Downing Street said,  "We do not agree with him.". Fine, but that does not give you the right to demand an apology. Message to "Senior Source" and the others,from me. You may not agree with what I say (or think) but Hell will freeze over before I apologise for it. 

  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-2012-red-carpet-and-a-hard-sell-for-biggest-ever-gathering-of-world-leaders-7966125.html   Queen Elizabeth II Hosts A Reception For Members Of The International Olympic Committee I hope that the athletes enjoy their games (and I do not mean only the 150,000 free condoms which will be available for them during the course of the events) and that the spirit of competitiveness continues. However, I am getting very hacked off with the hangers on and their endless committees, dignitaries, business sponsors, Franchise holders, Heads of State, Civic members etc etc and their numerous receptions, dinners, functions, hospitality events and other "jollies". These "games" have turned out to be what many have always suspected, a never ending procession of social events for the media to cover showing off frocks, suits and other more colourful attire of people only interested in making huge sums of money fr...