1/4 Olympic town crier promotes NEW YEAR'S DAY PARADE London 2012

If you were one of many thousands who lined the route of this year's colourful parade you must have heard Olympic town crier Tony 'the Big Apple' Appleton.

This opening excerpt shows the parade start at The Ritz and onto Piccadily Circus.

Tony, a fit 55, made a big impression leading a big red open top London Routemaster bus containing London Mayors and he looks forward to taking part in the London Olympics too.

Tony's ambition is to lead a similar parade in the USA as he was extremely impressed by the professionalism of the American marching bands, who despite the torrential rain towards the final stages put in first class performances to lift the crowd and clouds!

http://www.englishtowncrier.co.uk/

London's New Year's Day parade launched a "thrilling" year that will see both the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrated in the city.

The parade started at 11:45 GMT with over 500,000 spectators estimated to have lined the 2.2 mile route.

Entertainer Russell Grant and his Strictly Come Dancing partner Flavia Cacace were headline acts.

More than 8,000 people performed, including more than 1,000 cheerleaders.

Some 17 marching bands from the US were among those in the procession providing music.

The Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners, from Alabama, kicked the procession off, followed swiftly by All The Queen's Horses.

Dan Kirkby, communications director of London's New Year's Day Parade, said he was "absolutely delighted" with the turnout for the start of a "legendary" year from London.

He said: "The 26th New Year's Day Parade here in London is a wonderful platform for a fantastic city."

The Queen, who will become only the second British sovereign to reign for 60 years when she celebrates her Diamond Jubilee later this year, had a New Year's message printed in the free guide given to spectators.

In it she conveyed her "sincere thanks" to all the performers.

Nasser Volant was commissioned to make and fly dozens of kites along the route.

He is the cousin of Khaled Hosseini, who wrote the novel The Kite Runner which was adapted for the screen.

His colourful display incorporated more than 20 giant birds of prey and 60 kites carrying the official logo of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Among those making their debut in the parade were the London Borough of Croydon and a scooter fan club from Wanstead.

Martin Heath of Foresters Scooter Club, which was formed in 1957, said there was particular interest in having his group's vintage scooters in the parade this year to evoke the spirit of the start of the Queen's reign.

The London Borough of Croydon's entry was diamond-themed to reflect both Her Majesty's anniversary and the borough's geographical shape.

Local arts group for people with learning disabilities, Club Soda, represented the area.

Boris Johnson Most Rev Vincent Nichols Dr John Hal Councillor Susie Burbidge Sir David Brewer Robert Davis Duncan Sandy Roger Bramble Cartherine Longworth Simon Milton Bob Bone Trafalgar Square Punahou School Hawaii Trigger Train Landaus Foreign Heads Mission Jonathan Whaley Caroline Barker Kath Melandri Sarah Rouse Geof Towers Jeremy Gittins Sadie Nine James Watt Sara Hollamby Simon Lederman Steve Jones

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16358204

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