London 2012 Open Weekend
A series of FREE events took place from Friday July 24 to Sunday July 26 2009, as part of London 2012 Open Weekend – a national celebration marking the three-year countdown to the 2012 Games.
There were events at leisure centres, libraries, museums, galleries, and festivals, and some featured the chance to meet Olympians and Paralympians.
A list of the events and a description of the activity which took place in West Sussex is provided below.
FRIDAY 24 JULY 2009
Thomas Harriot, England's Galileo West Sussex Record Office, Chichester
An exhibition celebrating the 400th anniversary of the first observations of the moon through a telescope.
Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve, Chichester
The yew woods at Kingley Vale are unique, and the special flowers of the Downs are in full summer flower - perfect setting for a picnic.
Quest Seekers: Beastly Britain, Crawley Library
Visit the library and listen to storyteller Rob Parkinson's tales of dragons, giants and other mythical beasts.
Quest Seekers: Beastly Britain, East Grinstead Library
Visit the library and listen to storyteller Rob Parkinson's tales of dragons, giants and other mythical beasts.
Horsham's Horses, Horsham Museum
An exhibition where visitors can see and admire the world of the horse, with sculptures, saddlery, and a fantastic collection of lorinery.
Didn’t We Have Fun! Exhibition, Steyning Museum
An exhibition of how people, young and old, enjoyed themselves in the past - from whacky sports and races, to skateboards and roller skates, plus a bit of hopscotch!
Blue it Up! Carnival Making Day, The Ropetackle Centre, Shoreham by Sea
Blue Touch Paper People – disabled and non disabled people – enjoying a Carnival Making Day with a difference, as part of the project’s journey to 2012 - read more.
SATURDAY 25 JULY 2009
Ahead of the Game Open Day, Billingshurst Leisure Centre
A morning of free sporting and family activities including swimming, football and a bouncy castle.
Family Dragon Collage, Bognor Regis Library
Take part in making a giant dragon as part of the Quest Seekers summer reading challenge.
Family Dragon Collage, Chichester Library
Take part in making a giant dragon as part of the Quest Seekers summer reading challenge.
Thomas Harriot, England's Galileo, West Sussex Record Office, Chichester
An exhibition celebrating the 400th anniversary of the first observations of the moon through a telescope.
Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve, Chichester
The yew woods at Kingley Vale are unique, and the special flowers of the Downs are in full summer flower - perfect setting for a picnic.
Meet Sascha Kindred OBE, K2 Crawley
Meet Sascha Kindred, six times Paralympic swimming gold medallist.
Horsham's Horses, Horsham Museum
An exhibition where visitors can see and admire the world of the horse, with sculptures, saddlery, and a fantastic collection of lorinery.
Get Crafty! Littlehampton Museum
A fun packed summer craft workshop with a sporty theme.
Free for under 26s, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
Free entry for under 26's - come and see one of the best collections of modern British art in the world.
Ahead of the Game Open Day, Pavilions in the Park, Horsham
A morning of free sporting and family activities, including synchronised swimming and trampolining.
Family Fun Weekend, RSPB Pulborough Brooks
Lots of fun activities including a two mile wild Olympic nature trail. See the event poster for more information.
Didn’t We Have Fun! Exhibition, Steyning Museum
An exhibition of how people, young and old, enjoyed themselves in the past - from whacky sports and races, to skateboards and roller skates, plus a bit of hopscotch.
Sussex Sculpture Studios outdoor exhibition, Worthing Museum & Art Gallery
The first chance to see the outdoor sculpture exhibition, which features the original Hippogriff figure from the Harry Potter films.
Open Day, Worthing Leisure Centre
A chance to take part in a range of free activities, including judo, table tennis, and basketball.
SUNDAY 26 JULY 2009
Ahead of the Game Open Day, Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre
A morning of free sporting and family activities including athletics, cycling, and archery.
Olympos Open Weekend and HATCH event, Olympos Burgess Hill (Triangle)
A day of activities including giant games, arts and sports.
International Dance Summer School, University of Chichester
An Open Day of Dance, with classes for all ages and ability levels.
Free for under 26s, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
Free entry for under 26's - come and see one of the best collections of modern British art in the world.
Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve, Chichester
The yew woods at Kingley Vale are unique, and the special flowers of the Downs are in full summer flower - perfect setting for a picnic.
Be an Athlete For A Day! Impulse Leisure, Lancing
Lots of fun activities to try such as badminton, squash, and racket ball.
Shoebox Arts Fair, Littlehampton
The Shoebox Arts Fair is an art fair for local artists of Arun to promote and sell their art to the local community.
Family Fun Weekend, RSPB Pulborough Brooks
Lots of fun activities including a two mile wild Olympic nature trail.
The Child and the Magic! The Ropetackle Centre, Shoreham by Sea
Free animation and film workshops, as part of the creation of a spectacular new work around Ravel's musical masterpiece as part of West Sussex-Ahead of the Game's cultural programme - read more.
Ahead of the Game Open Day, Steyning Leisure Centre
A morning of free sporting and family activities.
Didn’t We Have Fun! Exhibition, Steyning Museum
An exhibition of how people, young and old, enjoyed themselves in the past - from whacky sports and races, to skateboards and roller skates, plus a bit of hopscotch.
Aquarena Open Day, Worthing
A day of free activities, including swimming, table tennis and short mat bowls.
Note: The London 2012 Open Weekend, created by London 2012, is supported by BP, the Premier Partner of the Cultural Olympiad. London 2012 Open Weekend will take place every year in July.