Godiva Awakes for the London 2012 Olympics

Godiva Awakes is part of the Cultural Olympiad. Costing around £2.8 million,  the six-metre high marionette has travelled from Coventry to London, arriving in Waltham Forrest today.

Godiva, prior to her 'awakening'. Photograph: Andy Moore from guardian.co.uk

She awoke on Saturday 28th July to a cheering crowd, a choir of 150, hundreds of dancers, and aerial artists amid fireworks showering from Coventry cathedral.

This Lady Godiva hopes to revive engineering and manufacturing in the Midlands. Roger Medwell, ex-chairman of NP Aerospace in Coventry said the project began seven years ago, with the decision to make a giant moving statute. What has been created stands six metres high and weighs five tonnes. She is  a moving piece of public art powered by cyclists showcasing sustainable energy.

Godiva left Coventry for London, but will return to a permanent home being created for her in the Coventry city: "Every year she'll wake up, and every year she'll need a carnival to welcome her," said Jane Hytch of Imagineer Productions.

The project recieved £500,000 from the Arts Council of England as part of the Cultural Olympiad with another £450,000 from Coventry City Council.

photo from http://www.harpendenpeople.co.uk/

100 cyclists have powered Godiva's journey to London. The Godiva Awakes Cycling Team is made up of novice and experienced cyclists, led by British Cycling Champion Mick Ives, who have trained together preparing for Godiva's extraordinary journey in 2012. Recruited at Coventry's Festival of Cycling in June 2010, through a public ballot and from cycling clubs across the region, the Godiva Awakes Cycle Team are cycling in groups of 25.

Today the Cyclopedia leaves Waltham Abbey for Waltham Forest on the final part of its journey, travelling towards Ridgeway Park, Chingford from 9.30am via Sewardstone. Around 1 pm the carnival starts its procession to Waltham Forest Town Hall.

Godiva arrives at Walthamstow Town Hall this afternoon for the finale of her journey and handing over of the “book of intent” containing the wishes and commitments of young people to protecting the Environment and final celebratory performance.

The procession route is as follows:

13:45 - Left into Chingford Road
14:15 - Chingford Mount
14:45 - Truck will park outside the dog track and children will walk under the subway
15:05 - Meet up with trucks on the opposite site of Chingford Road
15:25 - Parade ends at the end entrance to the Pool and Track

16:00 - Children will make their way through the pool and track to the front of the Town Hall for presentation

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