There’s news abroad that Saltdean Lido may be under threat from development plans put forward by the leaseholder, Dennis Audley.

Under the plans, Audley proposes to build 102 flats on the site and fill in the pool. Not surprisingly the plans have met with objection from local residents who wish to save the facility.

Saltdean Lido is a popular local summertime destination for young and old. The building and pool were designed by the architect, R W H Jones, who was also responsible for the stylish Ocean Hotel (now an apartment complex) in the same suburb. Both entities were inspired by the look and form of ocean liners with curving lines and graphic detailing.

Lidos are largely a legacy from the 1930’s, when over 169 were built across the UK. The zeitgeist at the time was for healthy urban living, and the trend for all things al fresco from sun-worshipping to swimming helped lidos to flourish. 

This fashion wasn’t to last, as events like the war and cheaper foreign holidays contributed to the decline of lidos. Some were sold, most fell into disrepair; but for those that remained, the preservation battle is an ongoing struggle. However, the few remaining lidos are great places to visit and worthy of heritage status.

Lidos make us think of sunshine, glamour, fun. Their very presence is a quirky anachronism that somehow fits in with the notion of Britishness. Like seaside piers, they are an idiosyncratic part of our landscape and at all costs should be saved for future generations to enjoy. Britain has a broad and wonderful architectural heritage and deco creations like lidos hold their own amongst these treasures.

Lidos however, represent more than just architectural splendour; these were spaces borne out of a social agenda to provide sports facilities for the common man: a beautiful space for a beautiful cause. We must therefore, care enough to preserve them and see them not as a waste of money but as a wonderful part of our history as important as stately homes and palaces.

For more information on how you can help save Saltdean Lido, visit:
www.saltdeanlidocampaign.org

Or join the Facebook group:

http://bit.ly/bPfCNp

Saltdean Lido in the sunshine

Young Jonny (centre) prepares to do battle

Coming across a photo of our Creative Director engaged in pugilistic activities as a nipper made us think about sport in school.

As the photo attests, sport in schools historically was far more combative. It was red in tooth and claw, with activities like boxing on the agenda. Fast forward a few years and the same principles were at play although organised combat sports had long vanished from the timetable.

Fitness is now top of most schools’ sport agenda. Extra funding to make kids active and high profile government campaigns, like Change For Life, are doing much to get us all moving, in and out of school.

Taking a new approach to sport, including offering alternatives to team sports such as rollerblading, will encourage those less able and is a laudable initiative. But there should always be room for competition for those with the aptitude, enthusiasm and ability for it.

Looking forward to 2012, we need to encourage these children and give them the facilities and support to reach the peak of sporting excellence. Achievement in sport on the international stage raises public spirits and does much to garner national pride.

On the eve of a new government, politicians should welcome the opportunities and potential afforded by hosting the 2012 games. Investment in the latent and emerging talents of our youth will make a positive contribution to communities throughout the country and help children adopt healthy and active lifestyles by participation in sport or other activities.

Sport and charity have a long and successful partnership. Sport is a global pursuit whose ideals – fair play, teamwork, honesty, camaraderie – resonate with the values at the heart of charity work. Whether a sporting charity or a sporting club promoting a charity; sport can be a powerful force for good.

Of course the connection can go deeper. Sporting endeavours can be seen as an allegory for charity work: achievement over adversity, hope over despair. For example, some of the most memorable Sport Relief feats have been truly awe-inspiring: David Walliams’ epic channel swim or Eddie Izzard’s heroic 43 marathons in 51 days. Both efforts have raised significant sums for the charity.

There are an increasing number of charities, like Sport Relief that champion the notion of sport uniting people and challenging social inequalities. The aims of most are to deliver long-lasting change to improve the lives of vulnerable communities across the world. Charity also thrives at home. UK based organisations like The Lord’s Taverners work hard to give disadvantaged young people a ‘sporting chance’ through participation in recreational activities, particularly cricket. To this end they provide a well-established network of projects; donating money, equipment and facilities to youngsters with special needs.

So, on the flipside how do sporting organisations help charities? Well, it is common knowledge that most athletes and clubs are allied to good causes, particularly those benefiting children. Professional sportsmen and women contribute much through fund-raising activities and positive use of their celebrity status to help a myriad of causes from bowel cancer to bullying.

For the majority of sporting clubs having links with charities is less to do with a corporate social responsibility programme and more to do with who they are. As the badge/colours are sewn onto the club uniform so the link with sport and charity is stitched into the very fabric of most sporting organisations.

OTM is currently working on sporting charity projects and plans to get involved with other good causes in the future. For more information on our work, visit:

www.overthemoonsportsmarketing.com

otm_sportsmktg –( Twitter)

Over The Moon Sports Marketing –( Facebook)

Good against evil, the underdog scoring an unlikely goal, triumph over adversity: all these themes and scenarios will be familiar to anyone cheering their team on against Manchester United (speaks an Arsenal fan). Joking aside, these plot devices are the basic building blocks for any good sporting film.

However, not all such flicks end with a win, note: Rocky; Mike Bassett: England Manager; Million Dollar Baby; Tin Cup. The need for a victory therefore, is not mandatory in a good sporting film. The sport, the winning, is merely a plot device; an activity upon which to hang the narrative.  More important is the journey of the characters as they embark on a roller-coaster ride of triumph and sometimes, loss.

Sporting films therefore, reflect the human condition in all its conquering glory and defeatist sorrow. They showcase our capacity for team spirit, individual achievement, strength of character, patriotism. Factor into this mix a strong central protagonist, a cast of well-rounded supporting characters and a considered background story; and win or lose, you have an unforgettable and memorable film.

We’ve taken five minutes to compile our list of sporting greats. See if you agree:

1. Rocky
2. Field of Dreams
3. Fever Pitch
4. Mike Bassett: England Manager
5. The Damned United
6. Raging Bull
7. Bend it Like Beckham
8. Tin Cup
9. Escape to Victory
10. Jerry Maguire

For more information on how we can help you with any project from films to design, please call David on 07815 324309 or email david@overthemoonsportsmarketing.com

Chris Brooks and Joe Thompson are taking part in the Atlantic Rowing Race which started in the Canary Islands and will finish in Antigua. We’ve just heard that they are sitting (or floating) in 10th position out of 32 boats. That’s not bad for two lads who prior to taking part in the race, had never rowed before. Blimey!

This journey is not just some waterbourne act of folly; Chris and Joe are aiming to raise over £100,000 for two charities: The Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice and Grafham Grange Special Educational Trust.

To date there’s another 2293 nautical miles to the finish line. Now that’s a lot of rowing!

Follow their watery progress here.

As a marketing agency specialising in brand and design for sporting companies; this has naturally got us thinking about the importance of these issues in sport particularly when it comes to creating and strengthening the brand.

All football fans covet the latest shirt, especially when a major tournament looms on the horizon: new England strip anyone? The vogue now is for retro and vintage styles, with thriving markets selling both replica and second-hand ‘antique’ shirts.

What drives fans to participate in this annual scrabble to lay claim to the latest kit? It has less to do with fashion and everything to do with the bonding nature of sport, of being part of a group and most importantly of a team. Sport brings people of all walks of life together and wearing ‘the colours’ is a key part of this.

The shirt, badge and colours are all integral to the brand values of any football club in the same way that corporate entities respect their logo. A great club strip has the ability to transcend the ages and carry a sense of history and pride: think England’s iconic 1966 red away shirt. Sporting a well-chosen vintage strip can create a talking point, and even be stylish: Brazil’s 1978 Adidas strip and most things Italian (naturally).

So, we can conclude that the brand is the team; they are inseparable, one drives the other. Whether you’re winning or losing, the need to wear the shirt (however horrendous the design, and there have been some howlers) and support your side, cuts to the heart of every die-hard football fan.

At Over The Moon It’s our job (and passion) to use design to create and drive a brand. If we can help you on any of your brand issues, please let us know; and if anyone has any better examples of great football shirts, twit or Facebook us. Meanwhile, here are some of our favourites.

Manchester City home shirt

Manchester City away shirt