Last updated 12:58, Saturday, 04 October 2008

THIS week I have been mostly celebrating 2012.

I really enjoyed the Olympics – somewhat unexpected, as anyone who knows me recognises that I am not the most ardent sports fan in the world.

But 2008 proved to be a real boost to our morale, the success of our sportsmen and women a joy to behold (unlike the colour pictures of Michael Phelps’s diet in the papers).

I have to admit to being disheartened to hear that London was expected to be bigger and better.

In this age of economic and environmental concerns, London 2012 should be a shining example of economy and environmentalism.

We’ll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, Britain has scored a first in recent Olympic history by implementing a huge cultural festival to accompany the build-up to the games, including a celebration of Shakespeare.

I have to admit to a rather silly part of my imagination envisaging the likes of Chris Hoy and Rebecca Adlington, resplendent in doublets, farthingales and ruffs, quoting “To be or not to be” in an It’s A Knockout style opening ceremony.

Seriously, though, I have to admit to a real delight that all things cultural will have a place in such a worldwide celebration.

The cultural programme kicked off the weekend; 2012 looks like being in the spirit of the original Olympics in ancient Greece, where sport and art were equally valued in portraying human effort at its best.

Things have already happened in Cumbria. Mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington tackled the mighty slopes of Scafell to plant a flag to coincide with the handover (he managed to handle it much better 3,000 feet up than Boris Johnson in Beijing). With events such as walking festivals, dancing and FRED, a 16-day art invasion across the county, Cumbria is off to a good start.

Let’s hope then that the spirit of those first games in sunny Greece will bring together sport, culture, art and educuation – you never know, you might one day see some of the most die-hard Carlisle fans at the theatre.