Abstract

To tie in with the excitement surrounding the 2012 London Olympics, the final Women’s Word event for Saturday 23rd June will feature award-winning author Janie Hampton discussing the 1948 London ‘Austerity’ Olympics, and will feature archive footage from the 1948 competition.

When the Olympics came to London in 1948, post-war Britain was in an economic crisis far worse than the present. Blending Heath Robinson improvisation with the spirit of Ealing Comedy, competitors brought their own towels, slept in schools and travelled by Underground. Despite food rationing and terrible weather, great Olympians such as Fanny Blankers-Koen attracted cheering Londoners to Wembley Stadium.

Janie Hampton’s meticulous research brings the era of ‘Make-do and Mend’ to life with tales of the adversity faced by women athletes. The Austerity Olympics was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, and Matt Smith starred in Bert and Dickie, the film based on this book, and the BBC ’s contribution to the Cultural Olympiad.

Price: £7 per person.

Bookings can be made at www.adcticketing.com or by telephone on: 01223 300085.