THOUSANDS of people turned out to welcome the Olympics to Dorset.

Weymouth beach was packed with crowds for the opening ceremony on Friday night and a spectacular Battle for the Winds production the following evening.

Youngsters from the Lyme Regis -based B Sharp group performed in the Coastal Voices production on the main stage on Weymouth beach on Friday.

Niki McCretton and Marc Parrett from the Lyric Theatre in Bridport were among those behind Dorset’s entry in the Battle of the Winds.

The spectacular show featured wind machines from each county in the South West competing to bring the breezes to Weymouth and Portland for the sailing events.

They rolled along Weymouth seafront on Saturday afternoon in a procession before the spellbinding evening show.

It featured fireworks, gymnastic displays, music, circus style acts, fire juggling, pyrotechnics and a torchlight parade into the sea, featuring 2,012 torch bearers.

Claire Teasdale was among those organising the parade.

She said: “This is the ceremony of the winds where we have gathered the winds from all the counties in the region and we are bringing the winds to Weymouth and they are all telling their stories.

“It’s been very well received and we have had lots of young people enjoying it.”

LOTS TO SEE AND DO

THE sailing events continue this week as well as entertainment on the main Beach Live site as part of the Maritime Mix, Cultural Olympiad 2012.

Large screens are showing the sporting contests. Entry is free to this site.

There is also a Weymouth Bayside Festival arena behind the Pavilion. It is now £1 to enter during the daytime and £5 during the evening.

The festival, until August 12, offers all-day live music and entertainment, food courts, more than 50 retail stands and a Dorset arts and crafts zone featuring up to 20 artists and craftsmen. There is also a free sports arena on the beach.

The ICCI 360 Dome, located in front of Weymouth Pavilion , is screening films and animation.

Lyme Regis-based Jurassic Airline is also running its rides outside the Pavilion.

Visit dorsetforyou.com/sailing2012, maritimemix2012. co.uk and visit-dorset.com for more details.

PHYSIO TO THE ATHLETES

A PHYSIOTHERAPIST from Bridport has been selected as part of the army of volunteers who will be working at the sailing academy for the Olympics.

Kevin Turner, pictured below, a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), will be a ‘games maker’ at the event after winning through a selection process.

Kevin will swap his day job as a private and NHS physiotherapist for a role as a physiotherapist at the Weymouth and Portland sailing venue.

He said: “I am thrilled to have been selected as a games maker and excited about contributing to what I am sure will be a hugely successful Olympics.

“I will be based in the sailing village for two weeks treating athletes and officials.

“I have experience of treating world class athletes but these Games are exciting and the pressure immense.”

Helena Johnson, chairman of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), added: “Physiotherapists will play an important role at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and being selected as a games maker is a big achievement.

“Kevin can look forward to the experience of a lifetime.”