Television sports presenter Claire Balding came face to face with Wenlock – Shropshire’s own Olympic mascot – this week at the Telford company which will produce millions of the cuddly grey character in the run up to London 2012.
Ms Balding joined Wenlock and his Paralympic counterpart Mandeville – named after Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire – at Golden Bear Products in Telford on Tuesday for the official launch of the mascot merchandise range.
John Hales, chairman of Golden Bear Group, said: “It’s a tremendous boost for the company.
“We’re very proud to be awarded this contract. We expect it’s going to do extremely great things for us.”
The company has had previous experience of making high profile products, including Shaun the Sheep and Thomas the Tank Engine, but Mr Hales said the Olympics will be a different challenge.
“You’re going for a much higher turnover in a shorter space of time,” he said.
“We’re looking at making 12million pieces, and it will carry on all through next year with 80 per cent of the total range in production by July next year. It is quite a challenge!
“We expect to treble the company turnover by the start of the Games in July 2012.”
Mr Hales said the company would also be likely to increase staffing by up to 25 per cent to meet the demand for the mascot products.
After the official presentation of the mascots, a group of local children presented Ms Balding with her own Wenlock and Mandeville.
“I’ve walked to Much Wenlock from Cleobury Mortimer and I knew about the Olympic connection because I’m a bit of a sport nerd,” she said.
“I love the whole buildup to the Games because you get to know your athletes much better and you know that everyone’s asking are they going to be ready for the Olympics.
“And I love the toys, I love the history behind them. I like the fact that Wenlock is big and cuddly and has the Olympic rings bracelets. There’s so much about the design that’s innovative and creative.
And local children at the launch were impressed with the products.
Phoebe Grice, 8, from Newdale Primary School, said: “I think they’re really good and exciting. I like them both. I think that they have a good story. I like the big fluffy one the best.”
Michael Ball, 7, from St Georges Primary School, said: “I like Wenlock the best. I like the colours and the taxi light on his head.”
The full range of merchandise which will be produced includes stuffed toys, phone charms, keyrings, multicoloured pens and London-themed mascots dressed as policemen and Beefeaters.
- Wenlock and Mandeville are available to buy from shop.london2012.com with more products becoming available in the run up to the Olympics.
By Pam Griffin