Gold medallist Etienne Stott was welcomed back to Waltham Abbey for the unveiling of a commemorative London 2012 shield.
Etienne and his partner Tim Baillie claimed Britain’s first ever Gold in the Men’s C2 Canoe Slalom at the Lee Valley White Water Centre at the beginning of August with Richard Hounslow and David Florence taking Silver in a memorable afternoon of sport.
Etienne joined civic leaders from Waltham Abbey, Epping Forest and Broxbourne on Monday 17 September 2012 for the official unveiling of the commemorative shield on Highbridge Street Roundabout. District and Town Councillor, Liz Webster who is also Mayor of Waltham Abbey had the honour of cutting the ribbon.
The shield is symbolic of the co-operation between Broxbourne and Epping Forest councils. John Gilbert, Director of Environment and Street Scene for Epping Forest paid tribute to his colleagues at Broxbourne for their generosity in agreeing to the LOCOG funded shield being placed on the Essex side of the boundary. Both councils worked closely together with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and LOCOG during the development of the Lee Valley White Water Centre.
The White Water Centre was the first the first new Olympic venue to be completed. Opened to the public before the Games, the Centre is open again for rafting and canoeing on two purpose built courses.
Councillor Brian Rolfe, Chairman of Epping Forest District Council said: “London 2012 has proved to be the finest summer of sport most of us can ever remember. It was a great privilege to meet Etienne and see the gold medal close up. Lee Valley White Water Centre is a fantastic facility and the British success in the C2, where we took Gold and Silver, was one of the most memorable afternoons of the Games.”
The Shield is embossed with the image of the town’s most famous historical figure, King Harold, believed to be buried within the grounds of the Abbey. Henry VIII also features along with civic and Olympic symbols of the present day.
