Tag Archives: 2012

Kathryn Thomas Original Oil Paintings Exhibition

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Shining a light on Kathryn Thomas Original Oil Paintings

 

Established artist Kathryn Thomas is celebrating the launch of her new collection by hosting her longest exhibition, ‘Kathryn Thomas Shining Lights 2012’, from Sunday May 6 to Monday June 4 in Poole, Dorset.

 

Every day for a whole month, Kathryn’s studio will be open from 11.00am to 7.00pm, for the public to experience her new body of work. Inspired by a variety of natural light shows across the coastline of Poole and translated through natural oil paints on to high quality linen, ‘Shining Lights’ comprises over 30 interpretations of the changing light and its impact upon the land, sea and sky.

 

The artwork of Kathryn Thomas adorns the walls of collectors all across the world from Iceland to Australia, but this is the first time in her 25-year career that Kathryn has created an entire collection inspired by one location.

 

Kathryn Thomas explains: “Since relocating from Bristol to Poole, I’ve become fascinated by the stunning surroundings of my new environment and I’m excited about the challenge of conveying these sometimes majestic sometimes quiet sights through my art to a new audience. On a universal level, through painting I hope to encourage people to be aware of the power of nature and to realise our fleeting relationship with this planet.”

 

Though inspired by the Dorset coastline, the seascape or setting of her paintings will not be easily recognisable. Kathryn strives to surprise through her constantly evolving techniques of application – building layer upon layer to enhance depth and translucency – making the image appear different each time the viewer looks at it, depending on their mood or perspective. Kathryn will be at the studio throughout the exhibition to answer queries, share thoughts and listen to opinions regarding her new collection.

 

Kathryn adds: “I am looking forward to sharing the next stage of my career with the public through the ‘Shining Lights’ exhibition this spring.”

 

Exhibition : Kathryn Thomas Shining Lights 2012

Date: From Sunday 6th May to Monday 4th June 2012,

Time: Daily from 11.00am to 7.00pm

Address: The Studio, West Quay House, 4 West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HT

Costs: Admission is free

High profile celebrity supporters back campaign for Fairtrade in 2012

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High profile celebrity supporters back campaign to ‘take a step’ for Fairtrade in 2012

Sarah Brown, Harry Hill, Alistair McGowan, Alex Jones, Christine Bleakley, Lorraine Kelly, Dan Lobb, Sue Perkins, Jessica Hynes, Francesca ‘Cheska’ Hull, Kate Walsh, Natalie Pinkham, Di Dougherty, Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova, Louisa Lytton.

With individuals, groups and businesses up and down the country ‘stepping up’ the action for Fairtrade throughout 2012, a host of celebrities have committed to take their own steps in 2012 to help the world’s poorest farmers get a fair deal for the products they grow.

Sarah Brown will be reaching for the Fairtrade tea each time she goes to the supermarket. She said:

‘If you care about the people behind the food that ends up on your plate, or what clothes you wear, then please reach out to the poorest farmers around the world by taking a step for Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight.

‘By taking a step you will contribute to the start of getting millions of farmers and producers around the world a fairer deal. I will be taking my step for them when I do my weekly shop and reach for the, tea, coffee, bananas and chocolate that all show the famous FAIRTRADE Mark.’

TV presenter Christine Bleakley (ITV Dancing On Ice) saw what a difference Fairtrade can actually make when she visited a coffee farm in Uganda. She said: ‘The question isn’t ‘why do you buy Fairtrade?’ but ‘why don’t you?’ Ever since visiting Oliva Kishero, who farms coffee on the remote slopes of Mount Elgon in Uganda to support her own children and several orphaned cousins, I have been buying Fairtrade because I’ve seen first-hand what a difference it can actually make. I shall make sure that all my friends and family are doing the same during 2012’.

Comedian Harry Hill (ITV TV Burp) has visited Fairtrade banana and cocoa farms in Ghana and the peanut farms where they grow ‘Harry’s Nuts!’ Fairtrade peanuts in Malawi. He saw how the extra money or premium which goes to the farmers from Fairtrade sales helps them to improve their lives – to educate their children, for example, and put proper roofs on their homes. He said: ‘I shall be eating more of my favourite snack Fairtrade Harry’s Nuts! salted peanuts – yum yum!

It’s great that by going NUTS for Fairtrade such big changes can be possible within just one African country.’

Impressionist Alistair McGowan and TV presenter Sue Perkins (BBC Great British Bake Off) have both been bitten by the baking bug and have vowed to cook up a storm with cakes made with Fairtrade ingredients. Alistair said: ‘This year, like many people, I’ve been introduced to the joys of baking. And, as an ethically-minded shopper, I try to include as many Fairtrade ingredients as possible in my new creations. There are many tasty Fairtrade products to bake with; from ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom to raisins, honey, dried fruits and vanilla. There’s even Fairtrade wine for the more adventurous!’ Sue Perkins said: ‘I’m no stranger to eating delicious cakes. I will be taking my step knowing they taste even better if they’ve been made from Fairtrade ingredients.’

Chocoholics Alex Jones (BBC One Show), Natalie Pinkham (BBC Five Live / Formula One) and Di Dougherty (Sky Sports) will be treating themselves with more Fairtrade chocolate. Alex Jones said: ‘During 2012, my step will be to enjoy my Fairtrade chocolate knowing that every bite will deliver a little bit of extra magic, supporting the farmers who grew the cocoa to invest in a brighter future.’

Early birds Lorraine Kelly and Dan Lobb will be joining actress Jessica Hynes and TV presenter Kate Walsh in making sure that their first steps of the day throughout the year will be to drink a Fairtrade cup of tea or coffee. Lorraine Kelly said ‘I cannot go without a cuppa first thing in the morning. So I will be making sure I drink Fairtrade tea and coffee this year. It’s an easy way to make a difference to the lives of farmers in developing countries.’ Dan Lobb said: ‘Buying a Fairtrade banana or cup of coffee is a tiny step on my part. But by switching to these products during Fairtrade Fortnight, it’s like a butterfly effect and ends up making a massive difference in the fight against global poverty.’

Strictly’s Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova will be starting their days with a glass of Fairtrade orange juice. They said: ‘A Fairtrade breakfast is our first step of the day. We always try to have a refreshing glass of Fairtrade fruit juice because we know this guarantees that the orange farmer has received a fair deal.’

Committed shopaholic and fashionista Made In Chelsea’s Cheska Hull is vowing to add more Fairtrade cotton to her wardrobe. She said: “Ethical fashion doesn’t have to mean boring. Even the most fierce fashionista can find something gorgeous to wear made out of Fairtrade cotton.”

Ex-Eastender’s actress Louisa Lytton will be hoping to receive more Fairtrade flowers on special occasions in 2012. She said: ‘A step for Fairtrade is an easy way to make a difference to the lives of farmers and workers in developing countries. So, next time you want to surprise a loved one, why not give Fairtrade flowers?’

Through the ‘Take A Step for Fairtrade’ campaign, the Fairtrade Foundation wants to see more individuals and businesses buying and selling Fairtrade products in the UK. The public are being asked to think about what they can do every day, every week or every month throughout 2012 and take a step to make a difference to the lives of farmers in the developing world who produce the products they buy.

With a wide range of products, from supermarket own label to top brands – great products offering good value and decent values too – a step for Fairtrade can be as simple as trying a new Fairtrade product like buying a Fairtrade coffee on the way to work, or making sure the weekly shopping basket contains one or two more Fairtrade products like Fairtrade tea or bananas, or encouraging their friends and family to switch to Fairtrade.

With Fairtrade every step counts.In Malawi, for example, sugar farmers earn a fair price for the sugar they sell on Fairtrade terms. As a result, farmers in Chinangwa village have been able to bring clean water and electricity to their homes, afford roofs for their houses and school fees for their children.

The more people that support Fairtrade, the more farmers and workers will be able to improve their lives through the better terms of trade it offers. The Fairtrade Foundation encourages everyone to start their journey at www.fairtrade.org.uk/step

Diane von Furstenberg Announces the DVF Awards

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Diane von Furstenberg Announces the DVF Awards and Nominees for the People’s Voice Award
Third Annual Award Honors an American Woman Chosen by Public Vote

On Friday, March 9, 2012, the third annual DVF Awards will take place at the United Nations in New York during Newsweek & The Daily Beast’s Women in the World Summit held March 8-10 at Lincoln Center. The DVF Awards were created in 2010 by Diane von Furstenberg and The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation to recognize and support women who are using their resources, commitment and visibility to transform the lives of other women. These are women who have had the courage to fight, the power to survive and the leadership to inspire. Each year, five awards are given to women who have demonstrated leadership, strength and courage in their commitment to women’s causes.

Among those five is the People’s Voice Award, the recipient of which is chosen by the public, through online voting at dvfawards.com.

This year’s nominees for the third annual People’s Voice Awards, as selected by The DVF Awards Board of Advisors, are:

Diane Latiker (Kids Off The Block, Inc.)
Layli Miller-Muro (Tahirih Justice Center)
Andrea Powell (FAIR Girls)
Jennifer Valoppi (Women of Tomorrow)

Public voting will launch online at dvfawards.com on Thursday, February 2 and last through Wednesday, February 15th.

“The People’s Voice Awards have been a great success in the past two years,” says von Furstenberg. “Last year, over 35,000 people voted online for the woman who inspired them! This year, we are proud to highlight four truly exceptional nominees who are doing incredible work on behalf of women.”

Last year’s People’s Voice Award recipient was Taryn Davis of The American Widow Project. Since receiving the grant, Davis has been named one of CNN’s Heroes of the Year and one of Glamour Magazine’s 21 Amazing Young Women, among other accolades. What is more, The American Widow Project has doubled the amount of widows it has served and is currently launching a new website in order to connect to countless more.

Supported by The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, the People’s Voice Award aims to provide the recipient with the exposure and resources needed to extend her critical efforts on behalf of women’s causes. The winner will receive a $50,000 award from the Foundation to sustain and expand their extraordinary efforts. The People’s Voice Award winner will be honored at the DVF Awards on March 9th, 2012 at a ceremony hosted by Tina Brown and Diane von Furstenberg.

DIANE von FURSTENBERG, one of the premier names in American fashion, was founded in 1972 by the designer. Renowned for its iconic wrap dress and signature prints, DVF has grown into the global luxury lifestyle brand it is today. Its distinctive collections are sold in over 70 countries and in 44 namesake retail boutiques worldwide. A firm believer in the infinite power of women, Diane von Furstenberg sits on the board of Vital Voices and has organized initiatives worldwide to support their activities, including the Artisan Handbag Design Competition, the Wonder Woman Comic, and the Proud to be Woman campaign. In addition to DVF’s commitment to women’s empowerment, Diane is a supporter of the Friends of the High Line and played an integral role in the redevelopment of the elevated rail tracks into a public park. As President of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America), Diane is an advocate for American fashion and a mentor to its growing community of designers.

Londoner's LIfe 21 – By Phil Ryan

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The big sleep is over and now we begin to take stock of the year ahead. And for Londoners the hardest thing to come to immediate terms with are the usual high price rises on the tubes, trains and buses. It now being cheaper to travel in London by car! Honestly I worked it out. 2 people in a car popping across to say Camberwell (not of course via the congestion charge zone that’s only for the super-rich and white van drivers). Not very green I’ll grant you but very nice. Comfortable and clean. You get to listen to your own music and not the tinny wasp farting noises from the headphones of the JB sports clad gimp in the hoodie glaring at his iphone from a seat saying for pregnant ladies and the elderly. In an average sized car you shouldn’t use more than a fivers worth of fuel per trip. Cheaper than two Oyster card worth of trips. Of course there are a few drawbacks to this concept. Thanks to Camden and Westminster Councils whose Chief Executive Officers are more like Afghan warlords than public servants nowadays you can’t stop easily. Not without facing the ludicrous parking charges and restrictions they so delight in inflicting on us AFTER public consultations. Where are these public consultations? We had one in Camden once about the greatest con trick of all – the dreaded Residents Permits (or a tax to use your own street every year). The Council sent out a questionnaire using hysterically loaded questions. DO YOU WANT STRANGERS FILLING YOUR STREETS AND RAPING YOUR FAMILY? Tick A or B. You know the sort of lies they use. A bit like the new green re-cycling madness. I now have SIX bins. I’m not making this up. Everyday some trucks trundle up and down my street taking away stuff. It’s getting very specific. I saw a bin by a bus stop that said only suitable for 18th century manuscript paper with a picture of Jane Austen on it for the hard of hearing.

But in an Olympic year my favourite new London game is spotting the very tenuous Olympic links everyone is using to push prices up. Of course top of the charts are those soulless parasites the London estate agents. Every borough I’ve been in recently apparently is perfect to access the Olympic stadium from according to estate agents boards and ads. Including far flung spots like Barnet, Roehampton and Ilford presumably viewing the Olympic Park by radio telescope. Of course there are those local areas directly around the stadiums who are also twinned with Helmand Province in the safety stakes which they handily fail to point out! I’ve also realised the prices going up now will presumably not fall afterwards despite the fools and suckers buying an overpriced flat to see a waste of money that only lasts a month. That’s property in London I guess. But many new terrorized folk will at least be able to shuffle around the Stratford Westfield shopping centre or take in the empty velodrome. The great legacy is getting vaguer. But the areas are certainly being built up. Mainly ‘so called ‘luxury’ apartments with names like The Point, The Wave and The Shoe Box (I made the last one up) But take a wander around Canning Town station to see the ghastly rabbit hutches being thrown up left right and centre. With ceiling heights too low for the average hobbit and walls thinner than a cream cracker these ‘architect designed’ monstrosities will presumably fill up quicker than Cheryl Cole at her next sacking. And bizarrely they all have tiny balconies allowing them to see other people on their tiny balconies. Just a sample of the new examples of the wonderful ‘design’ we can expect over the coming property developers feeding frenzy Olympic year.

And on the subject of London’s ever changing design I have to say the new layouts around Exhibition Road in South Kensington are just very surreal. Apparently it’s all based on a Dutch concept of ‘space sharing’. In plain speak it means ripping up the pavement, covering the surfaces of the roads and streets with curious red and white flat cobblestones and then letting pedestrians ‘share’ the road space with cars. It’s akin to the way that South Africans ‘share’ the coast line with Great White Sharks. I was having tea in Le Pain Quotidien amusing myself by watching baffled tourists soiling themselves as various Buses and cars apparently mounted the side streets they were walking along and chased them. Window shopping suddenly stopped being ‘charming’ instead becoming a kind of game of chicken. It’s a very nice concept. A bit like socialism. But in practice it turns a quiet stroll into a dice with death. Very exhilarating I’m sure but not great for the terminally nervous. And as for the locals do they like it. No not really I was told. But did they care? No not really. It’s a London thing.

Dating Detox For 2012.

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As we bid hello to 2012, we look forward with a sense of optimism and hope,. January is the month of choice to cleanse ourselves of any harmful toxins we carried over from the previous year. As we carefully select which diets and detox to choose, eHarmony.co.uk offer a revolutionary detox plan for 2012. Welcome the ‘dating detox’, a fool proof, four step detox plan for even the biggest skeptics to get you right back on track in your dating life.

Cleanse your outlook and get a fresh start for 2012 with four tips from Dr Gian Gonzaga, relationship expert for online match-maker eHarmony.co.uk,

Dr Gonzaga begins with a question: ‘If you were to conduct a self-diagnostic checkup on the condition of your dating life, which of the following would apply?’

a. Strong and robust, with optimal functioning.

b. Generally healthy, though periodically sluggish and listless.

c. Anaemic and frail.

d. Comatose.

“If you answered “C” or “D,” chances are you’ve been single for awhile now and you’re suffering from overexposure to potent dating toxins. There are remedies you can use for yourself when you feel depleted and discouraged in your search for lasting love.”

Here is a four-step therapy from eHarmony.co.uk, that guarantees to flush the dating fatigue from your system and put you back on track:

1. Purge.

Unsuccessful dating attempts often leave behind a debris field of unfulfilled desires, unresolved grievances, and unyielding regrets. These are toxic to your emotional wellbeing, not to mention your chances for future success in matters of the heart. A critical step in the process of dating detox is learning to let go! Forget the past, and choose to move on.

2. Consume carefully.

A regimen of dating detox must include monitoring your intake of words, thoughts, advice, and images related to romance. Stay away from “downer” friends who whine about how hard it is to find a decent man/woman. Tune out family members who complain about their lousy relationships. When you feel your mood beginning to sink toward self-pity, do something about it. Even small shifts in your “diet” can lead to dramatic positive changes.

3. Rebuild.

Detox is not just about getting rid of unhealthy habits and emotions—but replacing them with ones more likely to get what you want. In this phase, begin by identifying the kind of partner you aspire to be. Are there qualities on the list you don’t yet possess? Make a plan to get there. Next, describe the person you are looking for in detail. This will help you recognise those people who don’t quite measure up—and save you another round of detox down the road.

4. De-stress.

Relationship experts point out the negative impact of placing too much stress on the dating process. Lots of people put tremendous pressure on themselves and their dates, continually analyzing what was said or not said, what they did or did not do. Having a relaxed, low-pressure approach to life and love makes for happy individuals—and happy individuals make happy, healthy romantic couples.

Everyone needs a round of dating detox now and then and what better time than the breaking of a new year.

 

London Art Fair

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London Art Fair

18 – 22 January 2012

Business Design Centre, Islington

London Art Fair, the UK’s largest art fair for Modern British and contemporary art returns, with over 100 galleries featuring the great names of the 20th century alongside exceptional recent work, from leading figures and emerging talent.

Highlights of the 24th London Art Fair will include:

Main Fair

Galleries from across the UK and overseas will be exhibiting the work of over 1,000 artists covering the period from the early 20th Century to the present day. Museum quality Modern British art is presented alongside contemporary art from today’s leading artists.

Art Projects

Established as one of the most exciting sections of the Fair, Art Projects features solo shows, curated group displays and large-scale installations from contemporary artists and galleries across the world. New to Art Projects in 2012 are Beers.Lambert Contemporary Art, Edel Assanti, Hoxton Art Gallery, Limoncello Editions, Michael Klein, Tenderpixel and Whatiftheworld.

Photo50

A showcase for contemporary photography established in 2007, Photo50 features 50 works presented in an exhibition curated by Sue Steward.

Photography Focus Day, Wednesday 18 January 2012

Featuring a series of discussions and tours dedicated to contemporary photography.

Tours, Talks and Discussions

An extensive programme of talks and critical debates in association with key partners, plus daily tours of the Main Fair and Art Projects.

London Art Fair tickets are now on sale at £11 (plus £1.50 booking fee) in advance, including a copy of the 2012 Fair Guide (to be collected at the Fair). Tickets on the door are £16.

For a full list of galleries and the latest London Art Fair news visit: www.londonartfair.co.uk

LONDONERS CASH IN ON THE ROYAL WEDDING

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  • Gumtree sees influx of Londoners renting their rooms and houses over the wedding weekend

With the sound of Royal Wedding bells almost in the air, Londoners living near the royal procession route can also hear the sound of cash jingling in their pockets.  Gumtree.com has seen an influx of ads from people renting out their London rooms or homes over the Royal Wedding period – often charging as much as £2,000 for the whole week.

Homes and rooms on or near the royal procession route, or within walking distance from Westminster Abbey or Buckingham Palace, are charging a hefty premium – with many ads on the online local notice board detailing the short walk that renters can take to catch a glimpse of the wedding action.

Rental prices per week range from £1,000 to £2,500 to rent the full property.  Others who are staying in London have advertised to sublet a single spare bedroom, with the note: “Willing to negotiate a price for the whole property (2 double bedrooms) for the entire weekend”.

Adverts currently on the site include:

·                  £850pw, Luxury 2 bed flat walking distance Royal Wedding Westminster Abbey London http://www.gumtree.com/london/52/73742252.html

Top Tips for subletting your home for the Royal Wedding weekend

  • Be honest when describing your home, include photos on the ad so that potential renters know exactly what to expect
  • Include details on how to get to the key sights over the wedding weekend, include tube stops, bus routes or approximate walking times
  • Remember to mention the facilities and mod-cons in your property – holidaymakers will be looking for a home-away-from-home rather than a hotel, so remember to mention your HD TV/cable package, blue ray player, dishwasher, state of the art cooking facilities, etc. in your ad – and why not leave out your DVD collection for the option of a quiet night in?
  • Get to know your renters by email or telephone before you commit and meet them beforehand if you can – this will help build trust and peace of mind while you’re away, and also help make local recommendations
  • Create a rule book for your renters that are clear and easy to understand e.g. no smoking indoors, or no pets allowed, don’t use the washing machine after 10pm or the neighbours will complain, etc.
  • Compile a folder with everything your renters might need: instructions on how to use the household appliances, restaurant recommendations, locations of nearby shops and pubs, telephone numbers for local services
  • Lock away any valuables or high-value items
  • Inform your friends and neighbours of your house rental plans

Sam Taylor from Gumtree.com said:  “Despite the building excitement about the Royal Wedding, Londoners have begun to realise that if they rent out their property over the wedding weekend, it can fund a holiday to more exotic climates.

Luxury hotels are charging in the region of £3,000 – £5,000 for the long weekend – so it’s easy to see why self-catering options are proving popular.

Those lucky enough to live in central London are sitting on very easy money so should consider cashing-in on their postcodes for a few days if they are planning on going away – or even renting out a spare bedroom if they are staying in the city for the celebrations.”

 

Gumtree.com anticipates a similar trend to take place this summer in south-west London for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2011, and the London Olympics 2012.

 

 

Panasonic bring 3D to the Olympics By Jodie {Sport}

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It’s less than two years until the Olympics comes to London and to mark the occasion Panasonic commandeered Trafalgar Square and brought their own entertainment in the form of 3d booths, Flawless and Olympians Tim Brabants and Keri-Anne Payne.

We sent fearless Jodie Burch to interview the Olympians, here’s what she found out;

Tim BrabantsTim Brabants, who is a sprint racer, found his passion as the age of 10 in 1987. Inspired by people within his Kayaking club who went to the Seoul Olympics in 1988, Tim won gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Naming this as his biggest achievement to date, he is eager to repeat this at London 2010.

When asked what it means to him to compete in London, he can barely contain his excitement. His face comes alive as the thought and you instantly know that his whole life has been working towards this moment. Describing it as a unique opportunity, Tim is eager to live up to the British expectations and uses this as his motivation.

With training happening 2-3 times a day and only 1 day off every two weeks, you can see the determination in his face. A long road of training, preparation and international competition stretches out in front of him before 2012.

With everything crossed that he qualifies for the team, we can but sit and wait until that decision is made.

Keri-Anne Payne, a 10k swimmer, began swimming at the tender age of 4 so sees competing in the Olympics as a natural progression and her passion is obvious. After winning the World Championships and bringing home a silver medal in Beijing, she longs for that gold in 2012.

Being in Beijing was a phenomenal experience for her and one she hopes is replicated when the Olympics comes to Britain, her home country.

Not taking the chance of a lifetime to complete for Britain on British soil lightly she doesn’t lie, she’s nervous. But also excited and describes it as the best feeling in the world and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

When asked how she has been preparing for 2010, she instantly says the last 12 years of her life have been working towards this moment. Hoping to avoid the ducks in Hyde Park’s Serpentine, she is all too aware of the fact that she still needs to qualify for the 2012 team.

Tim and Keri-Ann weren’t the only well known faces to grace the event, Capital’s Johnny Vaughan also dropped by…

Here’s the video of Jodie interviewing Keri-Ann and Tim in noisy Trafalgar Square, it’s a bit noisy, just be thankful there arnt any pigeons any longer.

Keri-Anne Payne and Tim Brabants were speaking at Panasonic’s Two Years to Go to London 2012 event in Trafalgar Square held on Tuesday 27 July. For more information on Panasonic’s Olympic sponsorship please visit www.panasonic.co.uk