For once - ironically, in light of the EU turmoil of the last week - Britain and the rest of Europe will be closer (certainly on climate change, and on aid for Africa, if not on trade) than Britain and America. There is one obvious benefit to the Government's decision to shelve a referendum on the European constitution: more pressing global challenges, such as tackling poverty in Africa and climate change, have shot to the top of the agenda in Tony Blair's search for a lasting political legacy. Most competitors will be able to walk from village to venue; in their leisure time, they will be free to enjoy everything else that London has to offer. For non-stadium events, Wembley, Wimbledon and Lord's, the Royal Parks, Greenwich and Horse Guards Parade will all be called into service. The proximity of Paris makes it easy to forget, but London can do style and originality, too..
Paris remains the bookies' favourite, but the race is, as Lord Coe put it with the spirit characteristic of the inveterate competitor, too close to call. Lord Coe, who leads London's Olympics bid, said he was "delighted" with the evaluation contained in the latest IOC inspection report As well he might have been. It is vital not to talk down London's chances, while addressing what remains to be done. The most gratifying aspect of the report was its recognition of how promptly and effectively London has acted to remedy earlier concerns, especially relating to transport.If, as it appears, ordinary residents and visitors will benefit - not just from much-needed new and better transport links, but from such mundane improvements as additional carriages on Tube trains - this is an additional reason for London to support the bid. "It was a sad story, but there are many good memories".After leaving the toy industry, Smith devoted himself to his chairmanship of the board of governors for two north London schools.Giles Chapman. Production immediately shifted to Macau, later Thailand and then China.
Even the trademark cardboard boxes gave way to plastic packaging. In 1997, the Matchbox brand was acquired by its old nemesis Mattel."Once the cashflow starts to slow you find that the banks are not willing to help you through a difficult period," Smith reflected at a 2004 exhibition devoted to Lesney's importance to the community of Hackney, east London. However, in June 1982, Lesney was declared insolvent, renamed Matchbox Toys Ltd, and sold to Universal Toys of Hong Kong. Smith responded in 1970 by fitting "Superfast" wheels to Lesney's Matchbox cars and persevered throughout the 1970s by broadening the product range to include dolls and plastic kits.Smith was reluctant to switch production to Far East sweatshops, concerned for his workforce and product quality. He employed thousands of women to assemble and pack the little cars - up to a million each week - and laid on double-decker buses so that their children could be picked up safely from school. As Len Mills, a former tooling and engineering manager, recalled, "It was like a family.
