This one's just for the Gents. Sorry Ladies...

If you're currently working on building the stadiums and training grounds in preparation for the Olympics 2012, then this is most definitely the product for you. It's not specifically Olympic related and it's most definitely not the most glamorous of products, but it is extremely practical and will come in handy in all sorts of situations. In fact, it would be safe to say that every Olympic-stadium-building super hero needs one.

Gentlemen, please behold, The Cape of Convenience.



Image courtesy of Dalvie Storage Systems



An interesting invention. Especially if you're an Olympic enthusiast and are planning on being glued to the television set next year. You never know, you might just need one of these!

I found this product in the Dalvie Storage Systems catalogue. If you are interested in buying one, or want to know more, then visit http://www.dalviesystems.co.uk/ or call 0845 0178866.

The Olympic Torch is comin' to town

30th June 2012 - a very special date for your diaries. This is the date when the Olympic torch will be calling in at Birmingham as part of it's 8,000 mile journey across the UK and staying overnight before travelling on towards Coventry. The torch will be stopping off at four places in the West Midlands including: Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent and Worcester.

Hundreds of local people will have the opportunity to carry the Torch through the streets of Birmingham to celebrate such a prestigious, global event.

The visit will be part of the Torch's long, yet celebrated, journey across the UK to get to it's final destination in the hosting city of London!

If you want to nominate a friend, family member, colleague or deserving boss (yes, you heard correct) to carry the Torch during it's brief visit next June, then visit the official website http://www.london2012.com/

Employees at Hartman prepare for the Olympics

The Olympic games is probably the next biggest thing to happen to the UK since the Royal Wedding this year. Excitement is mounting and it is no secret that everyone who works at Hartman is very excited about 2012. Several employees have put their names forward for tickets and if they succeed will have maxed out there credit cards for the next few months, if not years!

Hartman Outdoor Products UK Ltd are based in Shropshire, a hop skip and a jump away from Much Wenlock which is the home of the modern Olympic games. It was William Penny-Brookes, in 1850, who introduced physical education into British schools and inspired the fore-runner of the modern Olympic Games for the "promotion of moral, physical and intellectual improvement." Although the Game's venue is now decided by an international committee rather than by the Wenlock Olympian Society, William Penny Brookes vision for the Olympic Games is hailed as one of modern sports greatest achievements. 

It was Baron de Coubertin who was inspired by William Penny Brookes to create the global event after a visit to the games in Much Wenlock. This resulted in the Frenchman organising the first games of the modern Olympics which took place in Athens in 1896. Sadly, Doctor Brookes died in 1895 aged 87, just four months before the modern Olympic Games began in Athens. It is without a doubt that the company wouldn't be anticipating this great event next year if it hadn't of been for William Penny Brookes. 

Established in the Netherlands, Hartman has been producing quality garden furniture since 1971. Knowledge, which has been built up over the past 40 years, has translated into unrivalled product ranges.  Hartman UK, based in Telford, Shropshire, offers a wide selection of quality garden furniture including tables, chairs, benches, loungers and parasols in materials including resin weave, cast aluminium, teak, aluminium and resin. Hartman have decided to name a set of furniture to celebrate the Olympics in 2012 and what better way to celebrate than with a Fire Pit Set with its very own Olympic torch in the centre! 

Hartman's Jamie Oliver Fire Pit Set

Hartman's Fire Pit Set for Tesco

The set will be available to purchase in stores from February 2012 and Hartman would very much like to donate a percentage of the profit towards the Olympic Society or a sporting charity to support the cause. The company are currently in the process of contacting charities to honour this pledge. 

Faster, Higher, Stronger with Birmingham Royal Ballet

2011 and 2012 will see the build-up to a great sporting endeavour in the UK, the hosting of the London 2012 Olympic Games. 

Birmingham Royal Ballet will demonstrate that this tradition of endeavour, perseverance and attainment is not just confined to the world of sport. Ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games, Birmingham Royal Ballet's Director, David Bintley, is creating a brand new ballet for the Company- FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER- the title of which is taken from the English translation of the Olympic motto CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS. 

Left - David Bintley | Right - Performance of The Four Seasons 

The new work will capture the spirit of the pre-Olympics period with hope, aspiration and sheer determination to perform as it receives its world premiere at Birmingham Hippodrome from 27 to 30 June 2012. 

FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER comes from the award-winning team behind E=mc². After winning the last ever South Bank Show Dance award in 2010 with E=mc², David Bintley embarks on a second collaboration with renowned Australian composer Matthew Hindson. This ballet of speed, power and athleticism will be a fitting creation for the lead-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

For more information about the Birmingham Royal Ballet company, visit http://www.brb.org.uk/.

Keep your eyes peeled for the first collaborative post...

... from Birmingham Royal Ballet who will be discussing their new, Olympic themed production for 2012. And it's being produced by their very own Artistic Director, David Bintley. Exciting news!

Stay tuned for more info.