Gravity-defying sights were a sweet attraction
The giant inflatable apple and (below) the Lutterworth-based team
THE STIRRING opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games featured a high-flying attraction provided by a Lutterworth company.
Imagine Inflatables had already created a number of helium-filled floating clouds which formed part of the lavish opening ceremony of the Olympics in July.
And impressed Olympic organisers then tasked them with creating a large inflatable apple and several smaller apples, which was dropped from a crane at the Paralympic opening ceremony on August 29.
Louise Proietti Tocca, co-owner of Imagine Inflatables, said: “The apple was dropped to represent the ‘enlightenment’ that Isaac Newton experienced when he discovered gravity.
“We had to do various tests at the stadium to see how fast the apple would drop at different heights and what breaking strain the anchor points would have to take.
“Linked in with this we created the smaller helium-filled apples – part of the same scene and were wheeled in wheelbarrows onto the stage by volunteers.
“Each apple was tethered and weighted within the barrow and released, so they floated at different heights.”
She said Imagine Inflatables was also involved with some of the advertising for the games.
“We completed a contract for a large advertising agency to create giant versions of the Wenlock and Mandeville mascots which were installed at various key London sites throughout the Olympics period.
“We did 10ft, 20ft and massive 40ft versions.
“These had to be durable and weather proof, and able to function in some strong winds around London Bridge.”
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Weather for Market Harborough
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
