……….I have just returned from the raising of Mansfield’s flag of the 2012 Olympics at Watermeadows, which coincided with the raising of the flag in 400 venues around the country. To a fanfare from the Cornets of Blidworth Band and the waving of Union Flags, Mayor Egginton and party raised the flag, which billowed proudly at the top of the flagpole

Local townspeople joined the 1500m record holder (1964-69) and European Gold Medallist, John Wetton, Executive Mayor Tony Egginton and Rebecca Adlington’s family to celebrate the sporting potential of Great Britain. Local Councillors present with me were Christine Smith, Ted Dubowski, Nicholas Bennett, Derek Birkin, Sally Higgins  Steve Garner and Vic Bobo.

There is to be an official reception at the Civic Centre on Tuesday to welcome back double gold medal winner Rebecca Adlington and she will be taken in to Mansfield on an open-topped bus, so please do try to be there to welcome home our swimming heroine.

 …….….not only has Mansfield’s very own Golden Girl, Rebecca Adlington,  got two Golds at the Olympics, breaking records as though they were chipped plates, but Team GB are in THIRD PLACE in the medal tally so far.

I am always ‘banging on’ about being proud to be British, but, oh my, this week has topped it all!!!

Further to my post on Think Tank Tosh, would politicians please note that this Olympics success story is not confined to the South; we northerners are doing our bit.

…….to treat disabled fans, as opposed to the news that 18 out of 20 Premiership football clubs are failing to provide enough space for disabled fans, while also increasing the price of disabled season tickets, according to research by the Liberal Democrats and our spokesman for sport, Don Foster, said ”It’s shameful that so many Premiership clubs can’t be bothered to provide enough space for disabled fans. Football clubs are taking disabled fans for granted.”

Mansfield Town Football Club owners are providing the following facilities for disabled fans according to their website: ‘they can gain entry into Field Mill ground for the normal matchday price anywhere in the ground (apart from the West Stand upper) and will also receive a personal assistant complimentary ticket’.

Now that’s good relations; I believe that the new owners are showing that they have heart and understanding. I wish them every success.