Eight hours before the official London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony Wapping had it’s own – complete with the band of the Royal Marines and Oscar winning actress and local resident Dame Helen Mirren.
The event hosted by Tower Hamlets Council was to say ‘thank you’ to the military personnel who have been based at Tobacco Dock and community volunteers for their work during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Local residents made the most of the sunshine and enjoyed the music of the Royal Marines in Wapping Rose Gardens:
Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets words reflected on the speed with which the 2,500 troops based at Tobacco Dock had plugged the gap left by the failure of the private sector firm G4S.
Commodore Martin Atherton, Royal Navy, reflected on the success of the Olympic Games and the way in which Londoner’s had been pleasantly surprised meeting service personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force as they performed their duties.
After inspecting the assembled troops and meeting community volunteers Mayor Rahman and Commodore Atherton announced the signing of a community covenant by Tower Hamlets Council to encourage local residents and organisations to support the armed forces in the area.
After the formal ceremony and march off by the Royal Marines band, troops and volunteers enjoyed a curry sitting in the sunshine while Dame Helen Mirren proved just as popular as she signed autographs and posed for photographs with both troops and residents:
Dame Helen Mirren poses for photographs with military troops in Wapping Rose Gardens
The Olympic farewell ceremony in Wapping Rose Gardens
The short ceremony began with the arrival of the Royal Marine (Portsmouth) band
LBTH Mayor Lutfur Rahman thanking the troops with Lt Col RAC Askew (centre)
Community volunteers watch the military ceremony in Wapping Rose Gardens
Short speeches and words of thanks from Commodore Martin Atherton (RN) and LBTH Mayor Lutfur Rahmen
Wapping residents enjoying the photo opportunities with the Tobacco Dock troops
Tobacco Dock Olympic troops, Dame Helen Mirren, LBTH Mayor Lutfur Rahman and public service workers in Wapping Gardens
A summer like no other
2012 is certainly ‘a summer like no other’ – and one that Wapping will not forget. What’s in Wapping would like to thank everyone who has made it possible.
