£40,000 Olympics banners seek loving home (From Times Series)

Barnet's £40,000 Olympics banners seek loving home

5:01pm Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Chris Hewett

The Olympic lamppost decorations were paid for with money from The Mayor of London’s office

London 2012 banners that adorned the lampposts of Barnet will be given away to charities and worthy causes.

A total of 55 brightly coloured signs will be handed out by Barnet Council to organisations and schools that wish to apply for them.

The Olympic lamppost decorations were paid for with money from The Mayor of London’s office and the council is now looking to find a home for the sizeable memorabilia.

Cabinet member for safety and resident engagement, Councillor David Longstaff, said: “There has been a considerable amount of interest already from schools.

“We’re putting it out there for suggestions and looking for worthy causes. Maybe a charity would like to auction them?”

Barnet Council was handed almost £50,000 from the Mayor of London to spend on Olympic decorations and the authority bought 17 packs of the banners at just less than £40,000.

The sail-like signs, many depicting the Games’ slogan ‘Inspire a Generation’ were attached to lampposts in a number of the borough’s major high streets.

Councillor Longstaff added: “I think they galvanised the idea that the Olympics was here in London. People appreciated them and they added something to the area. I enjoyed seeing them and I think other people did too – hopefully it added to people’s sense of participation in the Games. If we can find a good home for them, then fantastic.”

Anyone interested in the signs should email Barnet Council on Barnet.first@barnet.gov.uk.