And so it starts...

The Weekend!

The weekend earned us 2 Olympic medals thanks to Lizzie Armitstead & Rebecca Adlington, who both did Britain proud!



The Beginning of the Women's Road Race



After a disappointing men's road race, Lizzie brought it back with an unbelievable silver medal for Great Britain.

And despite being upstaged by Dutchwoman Marianne Vos, a world champion at the age of 19 who has since finished runner-up at world level five times consecutively, defeat was not bitter-sweet for the Yorkshire native.

Russia Bronze, Great Britain Silver, Netherlands Gold

"Winning this medal in front of my family and friends is the most special thing I've ever experienced in my life; it's so crazy and so inspiring!" said Lizzie.



Lizzie Armitstead



  

A former track rider who has won gold, silver and bronze at senior level in the world track championships, the 24-year-old Lizzie has come on leaps and bounds on the road.

After this much deserved medal was won, another in the form of bronze was also added to the GB tally.

Rebecca Adlington shocked the crowd after a glorious vistory from the eighth lane. A last minute sprint is just what she needed to secure her medal

Rebecca Adlington

Photos Courtesy of www.london2012.com 



Day 70 - The Final Day of the Torch Relay

The Final Day!

The final day of the torch relay leaves us all in anticipation over what the Opening Ceremony may bring. Danny Boyle, an award winning British director, the mastermind behind the Opening Ceremony created the performance with British culture in mind.

Maypoles, The NHS, The Industrial Revolution, The Child Catcher Man & The Queen jumping out of a helicopter are just some of the spectacles that could be seen on most television screens throughout the world. With all eyes on Great Britain, we didn't disappoint.

Earlier on in the day, the torch relay completed its final leg starting at Hampton Court, travelling down the Thames, to be picked up by none other than David Beckham who, in a comic scene was riding the torch down on a speedboat.

When the torch finally arrived at the stadium, the cauldron made out of petals brought in by each country, was lit by seven young Torchbearers nominated by a cavalcade of Britain’s past and present Olympic and sporting greats.

These included Olympic Ambassadors David Beckham who played who played an important role in bringing the Games to London and has been a big supporter ever since and Jade Bailey a young footballer tipped to become one of the sporting stars of the future who both earlier in the show also bought the flame to the Stadium by speedboat from Tower Bridge. As well as David and Jade the cauldron lighting included Olympic Torchbearers Lynn Davis, Duncan Goodhew MBE, Dame Kelly Homes DBE MBE (Mil), Mary Peters DBE, Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, Shirley Robertson and Daley Thompson.

The torch aboard the Royal Regatta



Tower Bridge and the Olympic Rings



The Olympic Rings are forged above the Stadium in a Industrial Revolution Homage

Photos Courtesy of Getty Images

Day 69!

Day 69 Torch Relay!

For those lucky enough to get a glimpse of the Torch Relay, you will have felt that familiar patriotic buzz you may have sensed during the Jubilee and the Royal Wedding.
Approaching Southwark Bridge Road, a mass of people on their way to see the torch were on their way to line up and see their piece of history.

Here's my picture!


The Torch on Southwark Bridge Road

 Highlights from the day:

6.48am – The Roundhouse: Team GB’s deputy Chef de Mission, Clive Woodward, will start the last day of the road based relay from the Roundhouse in Camden. He coached the England team from 1997 to 2004, managing them to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is currently the British Olympic Association's Director of Elite Performance and currently helping Team GB has been an inspiration to British athletes and the sporting community. He has tasked himself with uniting Team GB so they feel a greater part of a team, especially as it will be a home Olympics.




Clive Woodward holds the torch high

10.03am – Millennium Bridge: Ade Adepitan will carry the Flame across the bridge. Paralympic medallist Ade was selected by Lloyds TSB because of his contribution to his sport and inspiring young athletes through his support of and involvement in the Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week.

Ade Adepitan carrying the torch across Millenium Bridge


3.33pm – BBC White City: Two Torchbearers will exchange the Flame at the site of the finishing line in the stadium of the 1908 Olympic Games. One of the two Torchbearers is Antoine de Navacelle. Antoine is the great grand-nephew of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games. Antoine is closely involved in the Olympic movement and has promoted the Coubertin Award student essay competition ahead of the London 2012 Games to promote wider understanding of the Olympic ideals.  As a board member of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee, Antoine acts as an advocate for the values of respect, excellence and friendship remaining embedded in the modern Olympic Games.


Hosted by the London Borough of Westminster the finale event will take place in Hyde Park between 2pm and 10.30pm.

Coca-Cola will bring extended live performances from some of the UK's coolest bands, whilst celebrating all our inspirational Future Flames - amazing people chosen to carry the Olympic Flame.

The Olympics! 9 days to go...

The Olympics are here!

It's come round quick, but the Games are here! As thousands enter the country and all eyes are on Great Britain, the pressure really is on to host a brilliant Games. With Olympic Lanes and whole areas of London closed off to the public, the government really is pulling out all of the stops to make sure these Games go smoothly as planned. Britain really has pulled out all the stops as we will hopefully see when the Opening Ceremony is held on Friday 27th June.

Torch Relay Update

Today the Torch Relay is travelling from Hastings, through part of the Channel Tunnel, onto a ship and then into Dover.

Photo Courtesy of http://www.london2012.com/

The torch relay is on its 61st day on its relay around the country.

Highlights from Today:
07.45 - Visit to Battle Abbey. A Torchbearer will carry the Flame in a lantern to Battle Abbey.
08.50 – Funicular Railway, Hastings. A Torchbearer will carry the Flame on the funicular railway.
15.20 – Heather Hale will carry the Flame at the entrance of the Channel Tunnel. Heather, 33, from Ashford, motivates and inspires young people through the Explorer Group, which takes young people overseas. She is a volunteer and kayak coach for Seapoint Centre where she teaches young people and adults with learning disabilities. Her devotion and inspiration to young people is fantastic.
17.27 – A Torchbearer will carry the Flame on a Tall Ship into Dover.


The evening celebration will take place on Dover seafront and will feature a variety of entertainment staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.
Coca-Cola will bring to the stage music from Rizzle Kicks. There will also be a performance of a unique fusion of street performance, theatre and sport and a routine from dance duo Twist and Pulse.
Local performances on the night include children from local songs singing ‘Pass the Passion’; the Snowdown Colliery Male Choir; and local cheerleaders the Vista Twisters and CJ Dance Cheer Squad
Towards the end of the two-hour show, the last Torchbearer of the day – Graeme Faber - will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the event which will enable the Olympic Flame to be seen by the audience. Graeme, 76, from Canterbury, was present at the 1948 opening ceremony in London as a small boy. He has climbed mountains, cycled hundreds of miles across Mongolia, trekked in Nepal, run marathons and triathlons and raised funds for Water Aid and MacMillan Cancer along the way. He has also beaten his own bowel and kidney cancers with the same quiet determination, and continues at the age of 75 to run every day.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II on her 60 years reign of Britain and the Commonwealth. Over the weekend, the jubilee celebrations have united us to celebrate the Queen. Bunting, street parties and lots of Pimm's has been around to mark the occasion!

We want to know what your highlights of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee were for you!





Photo Courtesy of http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/ceremonial-day


The Speech:

"The events that I have attended to mark my Diamond Jubilee have been a humbling experience. It has touched me deeply to see so many thousands of families, neighbours and friends celebrating together in such a happy atmosphere.

But Prince Philip and I want to take this opportunity to offer our special thanks and appreciation to all those who have had a hand in organising these Jubilee celebrations. It has been a massive challenge, and I am sure that everyone who has enjoyed these festive occasions realises how much work has been involved.

I hope that memories of all this year’s happy events will brighten our lives for many years to come. I will continue to treasure and draw inspiration from the countless kindnesses shown to me in this country and throughout the Commonwealth. Thank you all."

The Olympics!

CSM wants to know how you are all preparing for the Olympics.

Below is a message we are broadcasting to our customers on our website:

CSM Logistics

Service Disruptions during the Olympic Games

The Games are nearly upon us and it is time to start preparing for them.

Unfortunately there will be an impact on collections and deliveries in and around London. We will continue to offer a service for our clients in these areas. To help and avoid as much disruption as possible we would like to advise you of the dates and how you can assist us.

The following dates are set for the Olympics:

Torch Relay begins 21^st July and finishes 26^th July

Olympics start 27^th July and finish 12^th August

Paralympics start 29^th August and finish 9^th September

It will not just be East London that will be affected. Games venues also include Hyde Park, Horse Guards Parade, Lord’s Cricket Ground,

Earls Court

, Wembley Stadium and Greenwich Park.

Below are some steps which you might consider to minimise these disruptions:

¨      If you have multiple deliveries to the same address, try to send them out together so that you only require one pick up.

¨      If you work or live in close proximity to a venue or Olympic Route, please contact your CSM office as soon as you can so that we can make special arrangements.

¨      Post-pone non urgent deliveries until after the games, or in the brief period between the Olympics & Paralympics.

¨      Encourage your staff to have personal deliveries delivered to home addresses rather than your work address.

¨      Booking collections a day in advance will allow us to plan our routes better and keep you more informed if there will be a delay or problem with your collection. The earlier it is booked (even 2 or 3 days in advance if possible), the better the chances we will be able to secure your collection or delivery.

¨      Flexible hours may also aid us in getting collections to you.

¨      Advise you customers and suppliers that there will be disruption beforehand and please encourage your customers to order as early as they can.

Overview of Games Venues

London

Central London (Hyde Park,

Park Lane

, The Mall & Whitehall)

Central London will be particularly busy during the summer, with some of its most iconic locations and streets transformed into Games sporting and cultural venues. Tens of thousands of spectators will be in the area to watch Beach Volleyball at Horse Guards Parade, events on large screens at the London Live venue in Hyde Park and road events, such as the Marathons and the Cycling Road Races.

Hyde Park

Roads around Hyde Park will be exceptionally busy throughout the Olympic Games as it is the venue for Triathlon and Marathon Swimming and a large Live Site will be based here.

Park Lane

Park Lane

will be exceptionally busy throughout the Games as Games Family members will be staying in hotels in the area.

Park Lane

also borders Hyde Park, a 2012 sports and Live Site venue.

The Mall

Roads in the area will be subject to restrictions and closures throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games due to road events taking place. These are estimated to take place between Saturday 28^th July and Sunday 12^th August.

Whitehall

Roads around Whitehall will be exceptionally busy from Saturday 28^th July to Thursday 9^th August when Horse Guards Parade hosts the Beach Volleyball. Other events are also taking place nearby.

Wimbledon

Wimbledon will host Olympic Tennis from Saturday 28^th July to Sunday 5^th August. Roads in the area will be busy from mid-morning to late evening on competition days.

Earl’s Court

Earl’s Court is the Olympic Volleyball venue. Roads in the area will be affected daily from Saturday 28^th July to Sunday 12^th August, particularly in the morning and evening peaks.

St John’s Wood

Roads in and around St. John’s Wood will be affected by Olympic Archery events taking place at Lord’s Cricket Ground from Friday 27^th July to Friday 3^rd August

Bloomsbury

The Olympic Media Transport Hub will be in Bloomsbury on

Russell Square

. Roads in the area will be affected 24 hours a day from the start of July to mid-August.

Tottenham/Seven Sisters

Roads in and around Tottenham and Seven Sisters will be busy due to traffic using local roads to avoid roads affected by Games traffic in other nearby areas.

Stratford

The Olympic Park is in Stratford. Roads in the area will be very busy from 6am to midnight daily between Friday 27^th July and Sunday 12^th August, and Friday 29^th August and Sunday 9^th September.

Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is the venue for Equestrian events during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Roads in the area will be exceptionally busy throughout the Games.

North Greenwich

North Greenwich Area is the venue for the Gymnastics and Basketball events during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Roads in the area will be exceptionally busy throughout the games.

Royal Victoria Dock

ExCeL is located in Royal Victoria Dock and will contain five arenas, hosting seven Olympic sports and six Paralympic sports. Roads will be very busy in the area throughout the games.

Woolwich Common

Olympic and Paralympic Shooting will take place at The Royal Artillery Barracks. Roads will be busy from Saturday 28^th July – Monday 6^th August and Thursday 30^th August – Thursday 6^th September.

Outside London

Surrey

Some roads in Surrey will be very busy and affected by the Olympic Road Cycling events taking place on Saturday 28th, Sunday 29^th, Tuesday 31^st July and Wednesday 1^st August

Weymouth & Portland

Roads in and around Weymouth and Portland will be affected by the games traffic going to the Olympic and Paralympic Sailing events between 29^th July – 11^th August and 1^st-6^th September.

Windsor & Eton

Roads around Slough, Maidenhead, Windsor and South Buckinghamshire will be affected by games traffic accessing Eton Dorney from 28^th July to 11^th August and 21^st August to 2^nd September

Heathrow

Roads in the area will be exceptionally busy as athletes, media, Games Gamily and spectators arrive and depart at Heathrow Airport throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Richmond Upon Thames

Roads in Richmond will be very busy Saturday 28^th, Sunday 29^th, Tuesday 31^st July and Wednesday 1^st August due to the Olympic Road Cycling events taking place in the area.

Wembley

There are two Olympic venues in Wembley. Roads in the area will be busy from Saturday 28^th July to Sunday 12^th August

Cheshunt & Waltham Cross

Roads around Cheshunt and Waltham Cross will be affected by Games traffic accessing the Lee Valley White Water Centre from 29^th July to 2^nd August.

Wanstead & Redbridge

Roads in Wanstead and Redbridge will be busy as they are located close to the route between the Olympic Park in Stratford and the Wembley venues and Lee Valley White Water Centre in Cheshunt

Ilford

Roads in Ilford will be busy as they are located close to the route between the Olympic Park in Stratford and the Wembley venues and Lee Valley White Water Centre in Cheshunt

Leigh-on-Sea & Hadleigh

Roads around Hadleigh and Leigh-on-Sea will be affected by Games traffic accessing Hadleigh Farm on 11^th and 12^th of August.

Sevenoaks

Road in and around Sevenoaks will be affected by Games traffic accessing Brands Hatch for the Paralympic Road Cycling events between 5-8 September.

Useful Links

www.getaheadofthegames.com/

www.getaheadofthegames.com/travelinaffectedareas/city/london-driving-and-roads.html

www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/london2012/21677.aspx

www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/london2012/21838.aspx

www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/london2012/22910.aspx

www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/freight-top-tips.pdf

www.london2012.com/schedule-and-results/

Delorean Back to the Future Nike Boots


After much speculation, Nike have released their limited edition Back to the Future Sneakers worn by Michael J Fox in the 1989 sequel where Marty goes forward in time. Only 1500 will be produced so get in there quick! Current auction prices on Ebay currently stand at $3,000 so we would all be lucky to get our hands on a pair!

The Queen's Speech

The Government's priorities for the coming parliamentary year were set out in the Queen's Speech 2012 today at the official State Opening of Parliament. Economic growth and reducing the deficit were some of the key priorities highlighted in the Speech.
"My Government's legislative programme will focus on economic growth, justice and constitutional reform."

Welcome to the CSM Logistics Blog!

Welcome!

This is a chance for us to let our hair down! Advise you of the latest courier news and also some of the less serious news.

This blog has a purpose to inform you readers of important and maybe some of the less important things going on in the world.

Its aim is to mix business with pleasure and hopefully keep you readers interested!

I also want your opinions! On anything from the Leveson Enquiry to what you think about Nike's new back to the future boots! Chatter will be much appreciated and greatly encouraged.

Well here goes!

Yours,
The CSM Team