Godiva Awakes for her Olympic bow

By Matthew Bates 31/07 Updated: 02/08 10:30

AN Olympic project was finally unveiled at Coventry Cathedral in front of thousands of people.

The Godiva Awakes project, which will see a six-metre tall Lady Godiva cycled to London, was launched at the weekend.

It cost an estimated £2 million with the majority of that coming from the pockets of taxpayers.

Coventry City Council put in £500,000 with the government-funded British Arts Council stumping up much of the cash to city-based firm Imagineer Productions.

Director Jane Hytch said: "A lot of work has gone in to this project and a lot of performers, artists, funders, supporters, creators, designers, crafters and helpers have enabled us to get to this stage.

"I am sure we will do them - and our own vision for Godiva - proud and her legacy will remain for the people of Coventry."

Saturday night's show saw dancers, actors, aerialists, musicians, pyrotechnicians, and 220 young people in a procession to mark the unveiling of the Godiva.

And on Sunday it started its procession through the city centre. Another 100 cyclists are riding on the cyclopaedia structure carrying Godiva, which was built by Coventry's NP Aerospace and Rugby-based Shaw Metal.

On Monday, she was taken to Rugby before heading to Northampton, Milton Keynes and Luton.

Tomorrow (Friday) it will be in Hatfield before its arrival at Waltham Forest on Sunday.