Changes afoot…

…no not new walking boots – a new name!

I have been in discussion with the Olympics folk for a few weeks now. As mentioned in an earlier post they are not happy about calling this project walk2012 because it contains “2012″ and they need to protect the London 2012 brand. Apparently corporate sponsors such as Mars and McDonalds wouldn’t be allowed to use walk2012 either so although disappointed, I am satisfied that they are being consistent in their protection of the brand.

In spite of a sickness bug ravaging their legal department and the trains doing their best to thwart us ever concluding our discussions we have managed to agree on a name.

The next step is to complete the Inspire accreditation and the London 2012 people have agreed to help me with this too. I expect there will be more frustrations along the way but I have been pleased at the enthusiasm shown for the project, if not the name!

As to the new name? …well you’ll have to wait and see! I want to get the Inspire accreditation first and get the re-branding right before announcing it.

Yesterday I was back in Dorset – Felix was presenting a paper to a conference at Bournemouth University, it was my sister’s birthday, and I had the chance to meet a fellow twitter on Portland Bill. So three things on one car journey, and an excuse to bake a cake – brilliant!

Portland Bill lighthouse

Ben (or @jurassiccoastin as I know him) is one of a new breed at the National Trust. No tweed, no landrover, and no stately home in sight! Ben has a great job – driving his campervan to different beauty spots on the Jurassic coast (there are loads of them) with his labrador, and promoting the National Trust to a wider audience. You can read about his adventures here. I really enjoyed meeting him over a cup of tea from the campervan and chatting about many of the places my parents would take us as kids – Hardy’s Monument, Ringstead, Portland, and so on.

Ben and his campervan @jurassiccoastin

I have spent much of my professional life helping organisations stop working in silos and start becoming more collaborative, and it was very encouraging to hear how Ben described the partnerships the National Trust is now forming with other organisations such as World Heritage. It is really obvious that Ben enjoys that side of his work and I am envious of his upcoming engagements with some folk from the BBC and a foraging chef – sounds tasy! I am looking forward to catching up with Ben and meeting his dog next time I am walking in Dorset.

Portland locals enjoying the sunshine

My sister’s birthday was terrific – her house was full of love and laughter as she opened cards and presents and then of course the cakes… Her husband and the 3 girls had made a lovely sponge cake with a slightly flame-grilled base, and the two halves of my apple sponge cake had dislocated on the rather fluid maple syrup icing during the car journey! Both cakes were very tasty though, but we’ve still got room for improvement

Felix’s presentation was amazing – I listened to a recording of her presentation on the way home and she managed to come across as authoritative, smart and funny all at the same time. She had loads of positive feedback from the delegates at the conference and it was really good to know that her hard work had paid-off. Now its just a case of writing a thesis and her PhD will be finished – simples!