Trudy the Games Maker (womble) -  Tales From The Manor

Trudy has kindly agreed to write a piece for us each day on her experiences, here they are, please scroll down to the bottom and read upwards!!!! Happy reading. 

Day 6

Games Maker - day 6 my last shift :-(

Today I am up early and I mean early 6.15am as my Dad, Bethany and dads friend Simon arrive for a trip to the Olympic Park and to watch the athletics, they arrive at 6.30am and we are in having breakfast by 6.45am, my eyes are barely open let alone my body ready to eat..... But they are all starving having got up at 4am!!

We are still mega early so catch the train into Stratford at 8.19am and I show them my "home" - I think they are suitably impressed, it's not too busy so we are able to wander round rather than shuffle!!!

We head into the stadium and take our seats we are row 48 today so not a steep climb to the back and directly in front of the triple jump pit, today's its the blind triple jump and this is fantastic Lu Dan of china the showman of the games entertains the crowd each time before his jump by whipping of his track suit bottoms "full Monty" style, we adopt him and are all rooting for him, we are all encouraged to shout ole before his "whip" which really get us all going, then 80,000 have to be silent so they can hear there guide directing them to the jump, there are a few funny incidents but mostly this is fascinating watching and 80,000 can be very quite!! Lu Dan eventually wins the silver :-)

On the field there is discus and shot put, we win a bronze in the women's shot put and Bev does a lap of honor -despite being discouraged by the officials as they are trying to start a race!!

On the track we see Hannah Cockcroft blister to a win in her semi (she goes on and wins gold tonight) and     Also wins his heat for GB.

Once this finishes I leave the others wandering around and head over to Eton Manor for the last time...... I'm a circle - court 1, this is a quieter job today as GB doubles women's are on centre so they will be busy..... We have works number 1 Ester with     From Netherlands in the women's doubles against Thailand and they destroy them 6-0 6-1 to make the final.

Next up men's doubles France number 1 seeds against Sweden number 6 seed - the Swedes easily take the first and win a tie break in the 2nd to upset the tournament and make the final.

Then that's it..... games maker life is over I collect my last gift - a silver paralympic engraved relay batten and I'm gone..... Through the park on the train and back to my hotel, staying one more night and heading home tomorrow!!

I do realize when I get back I have handed my Dad my suitcase to take home with him, with my £7.50 train ticket in and have to buy another full price one at £23.80!!! Lesson for the day - don't pick up your train ticket at the station until you need it!!!

Day 5

Games maker - day 5

After the horror of last night I have a lay in although I have woken up every hour to check the train line is open again as I am having nightmares about how I'm going to get to Stratford today....... finally I read a tweet that says its all mended and the line will re-open at 7am..... thank god

I go to the station and my train turns up and I'm back again....... I stop of for a Greggs today and wander down the accreditation lane (I love feeling important!!) and meet Ingrid.

We shuffle across the park and discuss what jobs we might get..... Dont worry I tell her....... I've got a plan........ once they check you in they ask what jobs you've done...... So today's plan is to lie, only a little white one but lie all the same...... And 5 minutes later we are holding in our hands triangles S3 and S4...... in Games Maker language CENTRE COURT BABY - WEST STAND and for the quad gold medal match USA vs GB....... David Wagner and Nick Taylor my American buddies from Sunday and Peter Norfolk and Andy Lapthorne..... Who to support!?!?!!

Then it will be the medal ceremony....... followed by GB vs France Mens doubles match!!!!!

Oh what a tough afternoon......."you will be stood for long hours without every seeing the field of play" this is drummed into all Games Makers at training...... Not these girls!!!!

The atmosphere is electric, all the spectators are buzzing, clapping and cheering, this is a busy stand and crowds can only move when players are resting so I obviously have one eye on the match and the other on my job...... I can now quite easily tell off talking or walking or annoying spectators, and shout at people to hurry up, keep to the left and stand back!!

The game is a very good one, how those athletes get around the court to the balls is amazing..... One of the American athletes Nick Taylor is in an electric wheelchair and plays with his racket round the wrong way so he is permanently playing backhand ..... There are a lot more rallies than (I want to say proper or normal tennis but don't think that's very pc.... But you know what I mean!!)

The Americans easily take the first set but GB rises to the challenge and fight back to take the 2nd...... what a game...... do you want to go to break my team leader Sue asks....... Are you mental!?!?!! Ummmm no not really.....!!!!

Sadly the Brits lose but we do get to see a medal ceremony and GB take the silver :-).

There's no let up today as, as the stands empty they fill up as GB doubles men Reid and McCarroll are playing France ...... crowds again are loud and it's busy but at the beginning of the match I do take my break....on return Sue borrows me a jacket as its chilly and I didn't bring mine today as it was roasting at 1pm when I left the hotel !! Lesson for today - be prepared!

Sadly despite a good effort GB lose in 2 sets but not through lack of support!!

We are later tonight and are stood down at 8 so I wander back with Ingrid for the last time as she has a day off tomorrow and catch my train, up early again tomorrow as I'm off to the athletics in the morning again..... well it would be rude not too now I'm here!

Day Four

Games Maker day 4

Now I know why I dont live in London...... But that's a story for the end of the day!!!

A lazy morning results in me being to lazy and laid back and I end up rushing for my train at 12.47pm!!!!! Never assume you have plenty of time is today's lesson!!

I arrive at Stratford and pop into the food hall for a quick jacket potato as I've had no breakfast today or a stadium marks and spencer picnic like yesterday and it's off to meet Ingrid for a trek across the park with the masses!

Today I'm a circle and Ingrid is a star.... We are to be parted..... This isn't so bad as we both know what we're doing now and know lots of the others who all excitedly at briefing compare what shape we are are what job we have!!! I love all my fellow Eton Manor Games Makers - apart from a couple but that's between Ingrid and I !!!

Circle today is court 2, athletes entrance ...... God this job is getting tough!!!

I am deployed with Emily and Miguel the loveliest security guard you could ever meet..... He brings us cold water (from a secret supply) and makes us sit down in turn, this isn't a busy court or a difficult job.

Men's singles today Argentina vs Japan, a tough match, they are both charged up and receive warnings for conduct at one point Fernandez the Argentinian falls out of his chair - a heart stopping moment!!! He is helped back in and goes on to loose the first set but claws it back and ends up winning the next 2 to take the match.

Then it's France vs Belgium, France is the favorite, so Miguel and I have a bet - he's French and I'm Belgium - despite a small crowd on this court they are vocal and enthusiastic, the Frenchman wins the first set easily, but the Belgian doesn't give in easy and takes the 2nd..... In the 3rd we reach match point several times before a shock win and tournament upset at the Belgian (my team!!!) wins and knocks out the higher seeded Frenchman.

I've had a break during the 3rd set and wasn't keen on the sweet and sour choice today so I have to settle for a turkey and cranberry sandwich and anyone who knows me knows that you DO NOT PUT JAM in sandwiches or vegetables in cakes - what is wrong with people!!! Despite my hunger I cannot eat it so fill up on tea and cereal bars..... As I know it won't be long til were stood down as our last match was moved to another court.

And I was right, stood down at 7, a wander across the park, hop on the train at 8, back by 8.20 for the 10 min walk to the hotel...... Simple..... oh no
not today!!!!

I make the train, we set of and stop just outside Tottenham Hale, an overhead line has come down and we are diverted to Seven Sisters, ok i thought just a bit if a diversion then back on track..... nope we're now on a different line, not stopping at Enfield Lock...... what the hell do I do now!!!!!

I ask the most trustworthy looking person in the carriage a businessman in a suit with a briefcase...... he wouldn't want to get my blood on his nice suit if he murdered me would he..... Thank the lord he was going to my stop and tells me to catch a bus that will take me back past the station..... I must look horrified and lost so he says he is going that way so I tell him he is my new best friend and I shall stalk him (but only to the end of Solar Way though!!)
He is a lovely bloke we chat lots about the olympics, the impact it's had in the area, the changes, and the opening ceremonies of both events, we reach Turkey Road!!! I stalk him to the bus stop, we catch the 121 and he pushes me off at my stop...... finally I know where I am an hour and 20 minutes later than I thought but I'm back :-)

Day Three

Games Maker - day 3 - Monday 3 September

Today I was a spectator!!! Up early and in the Olympic Park by 9....... I still use the Workforce Accredited entrance because it makes me feel important!!!

I quickly meet up again with my Mum, Sam and Grace - my little folk, we cue for about 10 minutes for water as its roasting today and head over Bridge A into the stadium. We quickly realize we are in the very back row which is a long, steep walk but who cares were in the Stadium. We are just past the flame as you look at it from the track up to the left!

Grace is suitably dressed, face painted, GB tattoo and compulsory Union Jack flag cape!! Sam is less obvious but still in red, white and blue!

The action begins, long jump in front of us to the left, discus directly in front of us, and athletes over at the 100m start......

During the morning we see lots and lots of victory ceremonies and stand for lots of anthems, a Mexican wave is very popular, but the biggest roar is for any Brit competing in any event we first see Mickey Bushell compete in 100m, he wins his heat (and goes on that evening to win gold!!), that just warns up our vocal cords...... everyone sings in between the events to any song they play, then what we all think is the highlight of the morning (we will be proved very wrong) David Weir competing in the 1500m heats..... He is massively cheered all around the track and finishes 3rd so qualifies for the final (he also goes on to win gold).

Then a victory ceremony ....... men's T44 200m..... Oscar Pistorious collecting his SILVER medal from last night...... He is cheered but my own personal opinion is he's a sore loser who thought he was untouchable and going to win easily and was well and truly shown his place!

Then an announcement that makes everyone in the stadium explode...... The last event of the morning will be the victory ceremony for David Weir's gold medal in the 5,000km - I get to sing the national anthem in the Olympic Stadium...... Just what you come to watch the Olympics/Paralympics for !!!

In the pause they play Queens "don't stop me now" and everyone is singing and dancing along - a fantastic moment also.

Then he's out, collecting his medal and we cheer and stamp and scream and whistle and wave our flags like our lives depend on it - then we sing at the top of voices (what a funny saying when you think about it!!!) our national anthem..... a perfect morning :-)

Then it's a quick change like Superman in a phone box or in my case a Games Maker in the loo and I'm in volunteer mode :-), I leave my family who are heading back as it it boiling in the park and heaving. I meet Ingrid and we head over to Eton Manor - I receive my first pin and job of the day, triangle, centre court oh dear that sounds tough!!!

And it was...... you crowds are so hard to control, although after a bit of reluctance to shout at people during breaks in play I'm soon booming at the top of my lungs today's catchphrase "keep to the left if your coming down please"!!!

I have to say 99.9% of spectators want to have a good time and know your doing a job but one women I told to stand still told me "but I need the toilet" and I said "these athletes have worked for years to get here and are competing for there dreams - bloody wait you selfish cow" well I didn't say the last 5 words but she didn't get my Games Maker smile I can tell you!!!!

The match is good, but long a women's doubles game USA vs Germany, I am rooting for the USA as these were the athletes that had been on my ramp the day before and I'd spoken too, sadly for "us Americans" though the Germans win in 3 sets but the USA fought hard.

This is the last match on centre court today so after another quick de-brief we are free to leave ....... the mobility scooter is just on its way out the gate and we chat up the driver in hope of a lift...... He says if he passes us and has room he will pick us up....... Just over Eton Manor bridge he does just that and our tired feet are whisked through the park to the main gate in quick time..... Lovely end to the day :-)

I don't want this adventure to end!!!



Day Two

My GamesMaker journey - day 2.

I wake up and mooch about today and leave for the station at 12.45....... Don't feel such a tit this morning :-)

I meet my new friend Ingrid as arranged and we go through our accredited staff entrance again...... I love feeling that important.

We head over to Eton Manor and log in, we both want to be on the same team again we have a brief discussion with a "jobs worth" who doesn't really want to assign us to the same team..... Gods knows why because all the jobs need doing....... Finally he gives us both crosses....... Centre Court accredited seating east stand........ Plum jobs........ We are briefed and deployed by our team leader Jeanette...... My job....... Stand where the athletes enter the arena on the edge of the court at the very front and only allow past people with the correct passes!!!!

I take over from Emma and she informs me the next game up is the men's doubles- GREAT BRITAIN vs Canada...... Can Paralympic Games Maker life get any better......

On come the athletes, and the match starts, the GB pair Reid and McCarroll have a lot of support and the atmosphere is fantastic. The GB coach arrives just as play starts and sits right next to where I'm stood.

I'm then joined on my ramp by Jon Rydberg USA athlete, then Nick Taylor and David Wagner USA quad players and USA Women's athletes Mackenzie Soldan and Emmy Kaiser all chatting away waiting for Rydberg and Welch       doubles match against Brazil's Pomme and Santos.

The Brits win in 2 sets, the support never stops and then the Americans Rydberg and Welch take to the court, I become American for this game as I'm surrounded by their friendly supportive athletes (and I love New York - but that's a whole other story!!).

This is a tough match, they are quite evenly matched even though the Americans look young, youthful and strong against the age-ing, shall I say slightly larger (to me they look like they have come from the pub!!) Brazilians.

The USA take the first set and it looks like they are pulling away but the Brazilians take the second and then they are a few tough matches and USA have match point but the Brazilians claw back and finally win a thrilling final set. All my new fellow countryman are disappointed but there's still the quad singles for Wagner and Taylor so I shall look out for them.

Once the match is finished play for they day is complete and we meet for our de-brief...... Jeanette has voted me her top team member and I receive a cadburys gold medal...... chuffed or what......

Ingrid and I fear though we may have peaked far too soon with our luck as we have had 2 days working together and really good jobs!

But I could be wrong.....

Day One

Well here goes my first day...... I feel sick, nervous and excited all at once... I don't know why!!

I have to say I put on the uniform and walk to the station (at this point I feel a complete tit!!) - strangers are already smiling at me and one man points me out to his children at the station platform.

I leave early today as a) I'm paranoid about being late b) I'm hopefully meeting Jane and Julie between their events. I arrive about 12.15 to discover accredited staff have their own entrance so no cueing for me just a hideous huge A4 image of me on a computer screen as they scan me in!! Picture was taken over a year ago so is nothing like me now.

I firstly go in search of the water fountains which I find and fill up!! Now off to meet J and J...... Who find me whilst chatting to my dad on the phone outside the Stadium, we have a good catch up, I meet Manderville and Wenlock and we have wander round the park.

I leave them heading into the Goalball and head over to Eton Manor....Now I'm really sick and nervous - I check in and are instantly bombarded with lots of free stuff, journal, fetching hi-vis vest, deployment card, newsletter, back pocket guide, more water and join a small group heading for our first briefing. I am in hearts team 2, after a while we are finally positioned and I am part of a 5 person team scanning tickets of people coming in and doesn't the time fly!!!

Everyone is so happy and buzzing, my new friends and I quickly become acquainted and help each other out as some cues get busier than others you could learn a lot about human behavior and psychology watching how people cue and follow one another - my face aches from saying thank you a few thousands times and smiling (but it's a smile you can't stop not one you have to force).

Before we know it, it's 6.15 and were sent for a break on return we find it very quiet as play has gone quicker today than expected so another hour and we are all finished, after a quick de-brief we track back across the park - we are allowed to use the mobility transport but me and my new friend wander back to the station and part ways - just for a few hours as I'm meeting her again tomorrow for my next shift as a Paralympic Games Maker - I can't wait :-)

Friday 31st August

Well Trudy our favourite Games Maker will be on route to her first shift. She is hoping to be able to update regularly to let us know whats going on behind tghe scenes and what her Games Maker days consist of.

Trudy is planning to also take in some events with her family as they pop down to see some events and also catch up with her in the what I think Clare Balding called aubergine and cherry uniforms.

We wait to hear more from Trudy and we will also be meeting her hopefully twice so will have it from the wombles mouth so to speak.

Trudy is one of the people (along with Sandra) from Crowdy's Hill School who asked us to write this blog. They are the admin demons there who apparently keep the place working. I assume this is why they are kept in a cupboard like office just off the library. I am still trying to work out whether the lock is to keep them in or everyone else out.

Anyway Trudy volunteered and from many thousands was successful. She has been so excited all the way up to this week I am sure once she gets there her use of Tenna ladies will move into epic proportions.

We hope Trudy will update here for us on her experiences as we found it great fun talking to many other games makers at the Olympics. They really do make the whole experience fun (even when you have to queue for a queue or shuffle this way and that)

We do have two actual rendezvous planned so will have live updates on those days which we think are saturday 1st and Thursday 6th September.

Have an amazing time Trudy and remember the top tips we gathered for you.