Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Today is our first day in venue - mostly spent familiarising ourselves with layout, competition staff, and general issues. It was, therefore, the first day for wearing my uniform.  At least it fits, although I’ve been issued with a 3XXL gilet - which is way too big.  It was warm first thing this morning, so didn’t need either the gilet or the waterproof (2XL size).  A not very flattering self portrait.  Note I’ve turned my accreditation around so no-one could copy it, and see which venues I’m allowed entry to.  The key bit is the blue bar at the bottom - that indicates that I have access to the Field of Play.  Leisurely breakfast from a standard hotel serve yourself buffet, meeting up with my co-workers at the same time.  After breakfast it is just a 5-10min walk (via short cut at the back of the hotel) to the International Railway station and the dedicated accreditation entry and search area.   As it is Sunday today, there are a lot more spectato...

Time to travel up to Birmingham. Meant an early start, with a taxi down to the Coach Station (if that is what you can call the unsuitable set up in Sophia Gardens).  The reason is that at present there is no central Bus and Coach Station - a new one adjacent to Cardiff Central Railway Station is scheduled to open in 2023.  The choice of coach was due to there being another rail strike (this time by drivers). The only benefit of travelling by coach is not having to lug your bags on and off when changing trains.  Plus most people are quiet on a coach - there is not the incessant babble that pervades train coaches (unless one is in the Quiet coach).  In fact today most people fell asleep.  With only one stop in Newport, it took 2 and half hours to reach Birmingham Coach Station (a proper one with waiting area, ticket office, facilities and some shops). The Coach Station in Brum is a short walk from New Street Railway station - but today there are no West Midlands T...

A key question to be answered - with both good and not so good answers Good news - after the end of the Opening Ceremony the animatronic Bull went under its own propulsion with a police escort to the centre of Birmingham.  As could be seen from the OC, it was able to be propelled - albeit at a slow rate. It took the Bull 2 hrs to travel the 5 miles from Alexander Stadium to Victoria Square in the city centre.  The police escort was necessary as it had at times to move on to the wrong side of the road to avoid going under gantries - it is 10 metres tall and would come to a timely end if it tried to get under road sign gantries. It got there safely, and the eagle eyed of you watching the BBC presentation may catch a glimpse of it in the background. And now the not so good news.  The Bull will stay in Victoria Square until the end of the Games on 8th August.  On the 9th August, the plan is to dismantle it.  The reason given is that there is nowhere with a suitable ...

Today it was the Opening Ceremony of the 22nd Commonwealth Games - 10 years and a day after the London 2012 Olympics.  Had the pleasure of being at the London Olympic Stadium to see the Opening Ceremony, and then two years later was at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. So what would Brum have to show off?  Well it was executively produced by the Brummie screenwriter and creator of 'Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight - so that perhaps gave a clue To get to the ceremony, it was a drive to Birmingham, parking in the extremely cheap Park and Ride (£2) which included a free bus transfer across Brum to the newly redeveloped Alexander Stadium, situated in the suburb of Perry Barr.  Arriving early meant that I was one of the first in queue to get through security (standard airport type) - with it being staffed by members of the Armed Forces (a nod to the security arrangements at London 2012) The Alexander Stadium, as redeveloped, has seating for 18,000, but additio...

  UAC at University City of Birmingham building

Arrive in Birmingham 7 days before Opening Ceremony to collect Uniform and Accreditation.  There is a 45min queue to get into the UAC, and once inside there is a further delay due to a problem of duplicate roles - originally I had been offered a volunteer post, before withdrawing from that for a paid Team Leader role in Anti-Doping.   Have to wait over 4 hours to be seen by the Help Desk.  They are dealing with lots of people who hav not had their security clearance completed.  For me once I'm seen it takes less than 5 mins to resolve my problem - apparently the volunteer and the workforce sections don't communicate with each other... Then it is a quick visit to the Uniform section - got there 5 mins before they closed for the day.  Fortunately for paid staff they already have our kit prepared for collection.  There will, of course, be the usual concern as to whether it will fit. The uniform is supplied in a compostable carrier bag - they want these Ga...