On the Town - Hats Off to London; Proud Parents; Boost to UK Events Industry

(ATR) The Mayor of London’s office tells Around the Ringsthere has been a "huge" response to Boris Johnson's cultural program, which features Lord Nelson atop his column in Trafalgar Square getting a new hat.

Iconic statues around the city have been given something of a makeover with new headwear that celebrates the best of British in millinery.

Lock & Co, the oldest hatters in London established in 1676, made Nelson’s original bicorn hat and and have updated it this time with the Union flag and an Olympic torch to celebrate the 2012 Games.

Deputy Mayor for Culture and Education Munira Mirza toldATR there has been a good response to the cultural Olympiad in general so far.

"We’ve had huge audiences turning up to our events," she said. "I think people love the idea of seeing London in a new way. Only London could put a new hat on Admiral Nelson in a new way; we’re showing how we respect our history but also that we’re innovative and like to do things differently – the Olympics is a great advert for that."

She added that there is an appetite to "keep the momentum going" and produce more unique events and attractions after the Games as long as new partners and sponsors can still be introduced.

Parent Power

While the athletes are the undoubted stars of the show in London 2012, they are all quick to acknowledge they would not be where they are without the support of coaches, officials and, of course, their parents.

Proud mothers and fathers from around the world have flocked to London to support their sons and daughters, and it's hard to imagine any visiting team having greater parental support than the defending women’s hockey champions, the Netherlands.

"We have more than a dozen players’ parents here and there are more coming in the next few days," explained Hendrik Lammers, father of Kim Lammers, who scored two goals in the team’s opening 3-0 victory against Belgium in defense of their crown.

"We travel the world to support the team and have recently been to Argentina and Spain. Most of us are here for 14 days and are loving our London experience so far. Everything is very well organized."

His daughter has a special reason to want to do well in London because despite having made 170 international appearances, dating back 10 years, this is her first Olympics. She missed Beijing 2008 through injury.

London Launchpad

London 2012 will act as a catalyst for the U.K. events industry, not just in the capital but all around the U.K., according to John Penrose MP, Minister for Tourism and Heritage.

Speaking at the London Media Center this morning, he added that the success of the opening ceremony, and the positive reception it has received around the world, will help boost a sector that he believes is currently under-performing in generating $41.8 billion a year.

"The events industry has not been performing as well as it should have but there is a lot of activity out there," he said. "What the opening ceremony has done is shown what needs to be put in place for an event to work.

What people will also conclude is that we are good at this stuff because of the good reaction from around the world."

While he sees London’s place as one of only "two or three" truly world cities as central to making it a hub for future events in sport, culture, business and conventions, he is happy that responsibility for attracting events around the country is being taken at a local level.

"We are allowing local tourism bureaus and local councils to get on with liaising with local industries as they know what they offer. But if ever they need help from us on a government-to-government basis, we are here to help" he said.

On Her Majesty’s Not So Secret Service

If the images of James Bond and the Queen parachuting out of a helicopter over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony are still fresh in your mind, you can enjoy aspects of both while in the city.

Buckingham Palace has opened its doors for visitors to tour some of the State Rooms in the royal home from Tuesday until October. The special tour and exhibition allows the public to see The Royal Collection in a visit that typically lasts just over 2 hours.

Then at the Barbican London, a special exhibition celebrates 50 years of James Bond style with a collection of artifacts from every 007 movie.

Costing £12 to get in, the ‘Designing Bond: Fifty Years of Bond Style’ exhibit also features set sketches and famous Bond girl costumes for all types of fans. There is even a bar where one can order a vodka martini, shaken not stirred – just as long as you don’t have to be up for early Olympic action the next day!

Hitchcock Season

Both the Olympics and Paralympics will be full of tension and thrills over the next few weeks, so it's little wonder that the British Film Institute has chosen to put on a retrospective season of films by the master of suspense – Alfred Hitchcock.

"The Genius of Hitchcock" will run until October and features screenings of all 58 surviving films in the BFI Southbank Season, including nine of his 10 silent films that have been lovingly restored by the BFI over the past three years.

Creative director Heather Stewart explained that Hitchcock had been chosen as he represents the best of British film making, and she called for him to be given more credit.

"The serious media still does not deal with film seriously," she complained. "Hitchcock is not in the national curriculum. We chose him because his work is still fresh and innovative even today. He is a great artist."

A key focus is on his work prior to heading to the United States in 1939 with 20 films including the nine restored silent movies. They include his only film related to an Olympic sport, "The Ring", a film about two boxers.

Stewart agreed that Hitchcock would have loved Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony, though she felt if directed by him there would have been a little more suspense.

Reported by Christian Radnedge and Matt Horn

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