Don’t miss the exhibition at the Royals Shopping Centre, Southend, displaying some of the creativity of last summer’s cultural Olympiad!

Glass beads devised as part of the Sparks will Fly cultural extravaganza are on show at shop units in the Royals, along with the hugely popular willow figures depicting athletes in action.

The Sparks will Fly event was seen by over 70,000 people throughout the summer. It began when different areas of Essex were each given a clear bead to fill with things that best represented their locality. These were then used as part of a spectacular glass bead game played on stage at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, to mark the Torch Relay celebrations.

The exhibition, currently travelling throughout Essex, will remain at the Royals until Sunday 24th February.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Derek Jarvis said: “The Sparks Will Fly exhibition at The Royals is part of Southend’s commitment to embrace the Olympic and Paralympic ideals, to ensure that the benefits and legacy of the Games are visible for all to see “Innovative projects such as this will help inspire people to take part in sport and physical activity.

 “We would urge as many people as possible to come and see the exhibition, recalling some of the excitement and creativity of London 2012 and the associated cultural celebrations". 

The Sparks will Fly event in Southend last June, coincided with Southend Carnival procession and featured a tremendous burst of vitality throughout the town because there were hundreds of activities to take part in or to watch.

The parade was led by Marina Mightier, one of two giant ‘Champions’ chosen as ambassadors for Sparks Will Fly.

In addition to the usual floats Marina’s entourage included a colour party of 50 dancers from Shoeburyness High School and the Southend Air Cadets Marching Band. 

At City Beach Marina was presented with Southend’s special commemorative glass bead by the Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Sally Carr.

For more details of Sparks will Fly please visit: www.sparkswillfly.org.uk