As the authority which serves the whole of the Norfolk – providing services such as museums, schools, fire service, roads, libraries, and social care – we wanted as many people as possible to see the flag on Sunday August 24, the day of the handover of the Olympics from Beijing to London.

Instead of raising the flag in just one place, we wanted to let as many people in as many different locations as possible see the flag, and talk to officers and young sporting stars, about how to get fit and active, and get involved in the run up to London 2012.

Consequently we planned a route on a 1966 red London bus, which took us to as many pre-planned events that were taking place around Norfolk.

Our criteria for making a stop was organisers were happy to have us, there was safe space to park a double-decker bus, and significant crowds would already be in attendance for us to talk to, in what could only be quite a brief visit.

As we didn’t have a choice over the day, despite our best efforts we couldn’t find a pre-planned event on Bank Holiday Sunday which met all these criteria any further west in the county than Pensthorpe’s Mediaeval Weekend extravaganza. Pensthorpe were delightful hosts and we chose that location as we know that many people from the west of the county are regular visitors to the wildlife centre there.

On the day we started at 9am and finished at 5.30pm, stopping for 20 minutes at six different places around the county, speaking to well over 1,000 members of the public.

TREMENDOUS

We also worked with local radio, TV and newspaper coverage to make sure that even if people couldn’t physically join in, they could enjoy the spectacle.

Over the next four years there are a tremendous range of events and activities being planned, and these will take place in all parts of the county and I am sure will be enjoyed by everyone.

Immediately we will be promoting the West Norfolk Olympic Celebration Event at Lynnsport on Wednesday, September 17, through our countywide Norfolk Celebrating Talent programme.

John Gretton, cabinet member, cultural services, Norfolk County Council