Huge Protests Inspired by Suicide of Greek Pensioner – How Much More Can Greece Take?

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A 77 year old Greek pensioner took his own life outside the Greek parliament building on Wednesday morning. Retired pharmacist Dimitris Christoulas shot himself in the head with a handgun. In a suicide note, Christoulas linked his tragic act to the country’s economic crisis. In the note found by his daughter he wrote, ‘I have no other way to react apart from finding a dignified end before I start sifting through garbage for food,’

The act immediately sparked widespread sympathy and anger. An impromptu anti-austerity rally was launched on the same day and there were clashes with police. Police clashed with around a thousand protesters for a second day on Thursday. Some were blaming politicians and EU leaders for the death. The protestors chanted, ‘Killlers!, Killers!’.

Christoulas is thought to have attended anti-cut protests the previous year and has been described as politically active. Sympathisers called his actions, ‘A clear political act … he was giving his life to change the situation’.

Suicides in Greece have doubled since 2009 having previously been the lowest in Europe. Greece is struggling to cope with the heavy austerity measures which have been forced upon in by the bigger European economies in exchange for bailout funds.

Already the recent bailout is looking like a distant memory. As I mentioned in an earlier article  it was extremely disappointing that EU leaders did not attempt to solve the problem once and for all. Already we are getting suggestions that a third bailout will needed. The Greek growth predictions are extremely optimistic given the levels of austerity it will need to bear. Yields on the new Greek PSI bonds (the bonds investors were forced to swap their existing holdings for) have soared to over 21% in the last couple of days.

As the actions of Christoulas show, the EU leaders and economists, have underestimated the Greek people. There is only so much the Greek people will take. The real crunch point is likely to come in June when cuts worth about 7% of GDP are expected to be announced. How much more will the Greek people take?

My guess is that we are close to the breaking point. Christoulas’s tragic act may be the symbolic trigger which sets everything off. One of the major issues Greece faces (which people often forget) is that Greek banks, pension funds and other Greeks hold most of the Greek government debt. This is why some in Greece are so reluctant to leave the Euro. Nevertheless something will have to give.

 

 

I Make, Therefore I Am by Gillian Montegrande

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There are many things we can say about the failings and ills of our society, but the most worrying are
the apathy and abstinence from positive and proactive input from certain sectors. Many have
become spectators of life rather than participants; television for example, in the form of reality
shows creates confusion between fame and achievement and because of its accessible nature and
selective (edited) exposure of facts, gives the false impression that such things are easily gained
without the investment of learning, effort or struggle. As a result viewers, particularly but not
exclusively the young, find themselves disconnected and struggling to find a purpose in a world that
does not match their expectations.

What to do?

While there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution there are, in my opinion, things that can be done to
provide these people once more with a sense of doing, being and purpose; to feel that their
existence is justified just.

What better way to show evidence of our existence and identity (apart from creating children), than
to leave behind a tangible object created by hand?

Today the media is full to bursting, of programmes and articles dedicated to the tangible handmade
achievements of the past, such as the Antiques Road Show, Victorian/Edwardian Farm and most
recently, Handmade in Britain (to name but a few), where experts extol the virtues of craftsmen and
craftsmanship. They talk about the detail, the design, the skill, the workmanship and the fact that
many of these items are still in working use, literally hundreds of years later.

These antique objects and artefacts were as a result of ‘skilled manual labour’ the bi product of
which was being usefully occupied. There was a time when the term ‘manual labour’ meant and
(maybe in some eyes) still does mean today, demeaning, soulless work. However, we have forgotten
(or choose to ignore) that manual labour, although sometimes hard, was also associated with an
honest day’s work and more often than not there was something tangible to show for the efforts
expended at the end of the day. In that time, it is possible, even likely, that when such a person put
their head on the pillow at night, tired and aching, they did not realise the significance and
importance of their exertions and maybe would not have been aware that they were satisfying an
innate need to be manually as well as mentally occupied.

Today, not only is very little built to last but also few people expect things to last, in their constant search for ‘the next thing’, this ‘have it all and having it now’ approach has been of no help and indeed has caused the financial mess the planet now finds itself in.

Nevertheless, there are some who are fully aware of the significance of such noble exertions, which I
repeat; we celebrate on a regular basis. Manual occupation is still one of the best ways to satisfy this primeval need and that there is nothing wrong in going to bed tired and aching, knowing that the
day has been used to its full with something to show at the end of it. Some have become obsessed
with jumping the gun, to get to the destination without going on the journey, let alone enjoying it!
The concept of physical struggle is now perceived as bad, to the extent that we are desperately
trying to eliminate it (in the western world at least), to our cost. The advancement of human
knowledge and discovery has done much to improve the plight of humanity but it has also done
much to take away the privilege of physical occupation and endeavour. Many children, from
underprivileged and privileged backgrounds alike, with their parents’ blessing are very ready, to
replace hands-on experiences, with virtual ones; the gaming industry was worth $105 billion in
August 2010.

But physical exertion, endeavour, struggle even, is still to this day, necessary in every human life.
When that is not present, an emotional as well as physical vacuum is created, which as we all know,
must be filled. Are our lives any “easier” today? I doubt it. We’ve simply replaced physical struggle
with mental anxiety.

Art, Craft and Manual Production satisfy that need on every level.

When making, a process is gone-through, which uses pretty much all of our faculties:
Desire and/or need; concept; design; sourcing of materials; establishing the strengths and
weaknesses of both material and maker and then through trial, error and ingenuity working with or
around those attributes and limitations, to finally be confronted with something that is real, knowing
that so much of oneself has gone into the very fibre of the work.

But there are obstacles in the form of modern-day fears and insecurities that currently pervade
every aspect of modern life which is so readily passed on to our children. They are no longer allowed
or encouraged to go out, to discover the world around them, in order that they might take risks, to
discover how things work, how they themselves work and how the two work together. They no
longer have the opportunity or are encouraged (as previous generations were) to find discarded raw
materials such as pieces of wood or old bicycle parts, to transform into go-carts or wooden boats,
that really do work. Making is as much a way of discovering how they work as how the world around
them works. We need to restore this human right to them and making – structured or otherwise, can
do that.

Using our hands to create things of beauty, use or both; using the raw materials we find around us,
where a battle of wills ensues between maker and material, grappling and tussling with that
material, until a truce – a compromise and understanding is achieved and something beautiful
emerges. It is this struggle that helps define us as human beings and we need this affirmation, pretty
much on a daily basis, to keep us sane and healthy.

If we know this then why can making not become once more an integral part of our society and the
way we (parents and teachers) teach our children? What happened to Woodwork, Metalwork,
Needlework, Home Economics in the classroom? The old adage, “The only way to learn how to do
something is to do it” has never been more true. It is in the classroom and at home where we need
to start again, showing little children that those appendages called hands have a direct link to the
wellbeing of their mind and psyche as well as their sense of place and belonging. Today, a three year
old child has far more idea of what to do with a computer game controller than he does with
Plasticine, Playdoh, Lego or Crayons. I fear that the prophetic vision depicted in the (ironically)
computer-generated animation Wall-E, is much closer than we think!

If such a vision is to be believed, then we may be further down that path than is comfortable to
admit. I would argue that the recent inner city riots have been carried out by people who have come
to believe that there is no point in having a go at anything because it “won’t work” or at least they
have not been shown that it could. Some of us know it can work and that trying is part of the fun,
adventure and fulfilment. These unfortunate people are afraid to take the risk of discovering how to
do something that may or may not have a positive outcome, but from which they can learn and
improve. Instead they do something, which achieves instant gratification with the least effort and
ironically they feel more secure in doing because they are sure of the outcome. You throw a brick
through a window; you know what’s going to happen! But that is all that is ever going to happen- no
wonder frustration and violence are never far away. With making, there is always new territory to be
discovered, in the skill and in oneself.

If we could only pass on to others that sense of achievement and what it feels like to stare upon the
tangible and positive result of one’s own useful endeavours, then it will go at least some way to
improving the lot of individuals who currently have no hope.

Gillian Montegrande

Founder of Made by Hands of Britain

Investment capital firm set to salvage Game

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Following on from Junior Smart’s articles on Game Group going into administration, an announcement is expected from the investment group, Opcapita, that it is buying a large part of the troubled Game Group out of administration.

However many experts believe that the Game Group needs to change its approach in order to survive in this tough retail landscape.

Danny Jatania, a consumer champion and CEO and Chairman of Pockit, says, “If a company like Game is to survive, it’s imperative for it to adapt and innovate to consumer spending patterns. Currently the high street is going through a major evolution as a result of consumers using the huge savings offered by the online retailers to purchase goods. Game will have to completely rethink its strategy and will need to work in harmony with this growing trend.”

Danny concludes, “More and more retailers are using deals, vouchers, in-store and online cashback, in the face of a fiercely competitive retail environment. It is important for retailers to extend these deals to the high street to increase foot fall as part of their growth plans.”

National Geo & Nintendo Launch Photography Competition.

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Budding photographers will have a chance to become the UK’s Nintendo 3DS photography champion.

Nintendo has teamed up with National Geographic Kids and The Royal Photographic Society to launch a UK-wide Nintendo 3DS photography competition

The competition has been launched in association with National Geographic Kids, famed for its exceptional wildlife photography, and the world’s oldest national photographic society, The Royal Photographic Society (RPS).

Competition entries are split into six dedicated categories, so no matter what you love to shoot, there’s a theme to suit you. The categories include: Animals, People, Places, Objects, Nature and Augmented Reality, which fully utilises the Augmented Reality features of the Nintendo 3DS system. The photo entries will be judged by an expert panel, including Lauren Jarvis, editor of National Geographic Kids magazine, and Dr Michael Pritchard, Director General at the RPS. The most promising photographer will win the top prize of a trip for two to Paris and a photography masterclass, while lucky runners-up will be awarded Nintendo goodies in recognition of their skill.

“We’re really excited to be working with Nintendo on this project,” says Dr Michael Pritchard, RPS. “3D photography has been around since the 19th century, but Nintendo 3DS gives people of all ages the opportunity to experiment with the technology and create their own 3D masterpieces.”

Lauren Jarvis, Editor of National Geographic Kids magazine, says, “There’s so much to be inspired by in the UK, whether you live in the city or the countryside. National Geographic Kids is all about young people getting out and exploring their world, and I can’t wait to see the 3D pictures they capture on Nintendo 3DS.”

How to enter:

Entering the Nintendo 3DS photography competition couldn’t be simpler. Take a 3D photo in-line with one of the six themes, using the in-built cameras on the Nintendo 3DS system. Once you have captured your masterpiece, upload it to the dedicated competition website www.nintendo.co.uk/3dphotocontest between 2nd April 2012 and 17th June 2012. The dedicated competition website is accessible through the Nintendo 3DS browser on the Nintendo 3DS system or through an Internet browser on a computer, and will feature galleries of all the images that have been uploaded. Each photo uploaded to the website will have its own dedicated QR Code and, by reading these QR Codes on the Nintendo 3DS system, users will be able to view their favourite images in 3D.

Recent research from Nintendo found that 60% of Nintendo 3DS owners take more than 100 photos a year* and 13% take as many as 1,000, which equates to three a day*. So say “cheese” and get capturing using the in-built cameras on the Nintendo 3DS system today!

The Nintendo 3DS features two outer-facing and one inner-facing camera, allowing you to take both 2D and 3D photos, and record up to 10 minutes of 3D video footage. Photos taken using the Nintendo 3DS cameras can be customised by adding fun and creative filters and effects. You can even draw on your photos using the Nintendo 3DS stylus to give them that personal touch.

To be in with a chance of being crowned the UK’s best photographer by the expert panel, check www.nintendo.co.uk/3dphotocontest for details on entry requirements and the full terms and conditions of entry. If you think you’ve got what it takes to take an award-winning 3D photo, then head out with your Nintendo 3DS today and get snapping!

Keep up to date with all the official Nintendo announcements and exclusive new game information by following the official Nintendo UK Twitter feed @NintendoUK

Join Cosmo’s Online Protest For Equal Pay.

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UNITE TOGETHER AND FIGHT FOR EQUAL PAY WITH COSMOPOLITAN’S ONLINE PROTEST

CALL FOR WOMEN TO TAKE PART IN COSMOPOLITAN’S CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE WIDENING PAY GAP

Cosmopolitan, the magazine for smart spirited women, has teamed up with a host of celebrities to lead an online protest via Facebook and Twitter to highlight the current 15% pay gap and urge women to fight for their right to an equal pay packet.

Cosmopolitan and its celebrity supporters will lead the protest with the hashtag #4Kequalpay spend it YOUR way, encouraging women to retweet and comment on how they would spend the extra money. ‘4K’ signifying the average amount of money that women are missing out on each year from their salaries.

The online protest follows the controversial moves announced recently in the Budget to cut salaries of public-sector workers, meaning the pay gap is set to widen with women bearing the brunt of the government’s austerity measures.

All tweets and Facebook posts will also include a link to the Cosmopolitan Equal Pay Petition, asking everyone to sign up to make it mandatory for companies who employ 250 people or more to carry out a public, annual equal-pay audit. Over 100,000 signatures need to be collated for the petition to be taken to David Cameron later in the year.

Louise Court, Cosmopolitan, Editor, said: “With the government recently announcing further cuts to the Budget and the likelihood of the pay gap widening further, it is time for all women across the country to stand up and take positive steps in finally getting equal pay for British women.”

Follow the Cosmopolitan Twitter for updates: @CosmopolitanUK

Win a £5,000 Holiday or a Kindle.

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Recession biting? In need of a holiday? Frost Magazine knows how you feel, so we thought we would let you know about this competition Yakult are doing.

BRITISH MEN NEED A BREAK!

(And Yakult’s £5,000 holiday giveaway is here to help)

68% of men in the UK are in need of a holiday, according to a new survey[1]. Whilst that might not be overly surprising, it is revealing to learn the extent to which British men are desperate to get away: when asked to name their one material desire for 2012, a dream holiday came only a very close second to a new car.

However, with purse strings being tightened across the country, it seems that many will be going without their longed-for break – for this year at least. 29% of men questioned stated that, due to economising, they would be cutting down on holidays abroad in 2012 – and over a third (35%) will not be holidaying abroad at all this year.

And yet a desire to discover more about the world remains as keen as ever – 68% of men questioned stated that they were curious to learn more about different countries and cultures across the globe. Despite this, over half state that they have yet to experience a ‘dream holiday’– and so it seems high time that British men got a chance to experience the break they so desire.

And that’s where Yakult’s brand new competition comes in! Showcasing the fact that Yakult is available in 32 countries across the globe, ‘Around the World with Yakult’ is offering one lucky winner the chance to jet off on a £5,000 dream holiday. Another five winners will each receive a Kindle, complete with £20 credit.

To enter this exciting competition, would-be jetsetters simply need to visit www.yakult.co.uk/world and guess the location of the ‘mystery Yakult country’.

Each month, a Yakult employee will give a personal insight into a fascinating Yakult project taking place in their particular country – and offer clues as to the location. (The competition is free to enter and no purchase is necessary.) Every month until August, one lucky winner will receive a Kindle (plus £20 credit) – and then in September, all correct entries will go into a draw for the £5,000 grand prize!

Warwick Castle Review – An Underestimated Hidden Gem!

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School holidays are well underway and with so many various attractions prying for your attention via different media and even social networks, one could be forgiven for overlooking Warwick Castle as being far too historic for children. But to do so would be a huge mistake. As I discovered on a recent visit to the castle, it is a place of wonder, mystery and magic. A place where young girls can become princesses and young boys can pull the legendary sword from the stone and be declared King to rapturous applause. Where knights fight gallantly to defend the kingdom and where dark secrets are kept hidden away in dungeons.

Warwick Castle represents an interesting combination of a modern visitor attraction in a historic location. A real medieval castle in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire it takes just 1 hour 15 minutes to get there directly by train from London Marylebone station and is only a 10-15 min walk from the station.

The surrounding countryside and castle are incredible to see. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068 the castle simply oozes regality and by itself represents a remarkable piece of English heritage, but to stop there would be to miss out on some of the core attractions that will keep both young and old imaginations enthused like wildfire. I have tried my best to capture some of the amazing experiences I had the pleasure of enjoying but in truth, there is more to see than is capable in one day. Nevertheless taking the little one out to Warwick castle proved an impeccable treat. Highlights included:

The Castle Dungeon

Dank, pungent and scary this was very much akin to The London Dungeon experience.

I guess the dark colours mean she isn't joking...

One bears witness to perhaps one of the most frightening times in history: 1345 a time of the plague. A period of real hopelessness and fear, a time where people suffered relentlessly and prayed for redemption. Walking though the gates you are transported into the castle dungeon, greeted by scary monks, castle cooks, decaying bodies, torturers, court room judges, execution and where you can literally got lost  in ‘the labyrinth of lost souls’. I won’t give away anything from the storyline but for me personally the final room proved the most scary, representing something from a scene of both Blair Witch and Paranormal activity, it was very unnerving. A foreboding sign outside does say ‘Not suitable for under 10′s and there was some brave children who came inside and were very brave. However, for wussies like me, I found myself covering my eyes most of the time and praying the rest of the time. It has to be said that the actors were first class professionals, truly bringing this horrible part of history to life.

Merlin: The Dragon Tower

Based on the BBC’s hit series Merlin; this real life tour gave my little one and I the chance to experience the magic of Merlin first hand. Beginning in a book shop where a young apprentice has been told to guard the secrets of the Elders’ magic we follow her to the magical mirror through which we could talk to The Great Dragon. This was a fantastic treat for all the kids and it was amazing to see their eyes light up at actually being able to interact with the character from the television show. The technology used really shone; this wasn’t some pre-scripted video we were watching the dragon asked questions of the audience, repeated a couple of people’s names and even told us our destiny; to be future warriors of the kingdom apparently. It was incredible, however I found the experience to be short-lived. It would have been great if more had happened to extend the encounter.

Warwick Warriors display –

Warwick Castle has a number of different events happening dependant on the day, the weather and the

The sword fighting is amazing

season. Rolling alternatively to the Jousting Knights is the Warwick Warriors. My advice is to always check the time of key events as you arrive and plan your day accordingly so as not to miss anything. The Warriors perform once daily and are a feast on the eyes. Why? Because they are the closest any of us will get to actually seeing a real life sword fighting display in person. Again the quality of the acting, the atmosphere, everything works together to give quite a profound experience and one where the actors will break any misconceptions that you might have had about knights and sword fighting.

The Princess Tower – 

The Princess Tower represents probably the real life dream of every young girl and maybe a few adults too. Going through what is perhaps the largest doorway I’ve seen, the little ones were enthused to actually sit in a throne and have their pictures taken. Going up a long spiral staircase took us to the tower adorned with picture frames of different princesses all over the world. Going through to an adjoining room we were greeted by a princess who taught us exactly what it means to be one. Can you feel a pea under your bed? Can you kiss a lot of frogs? Well I sure have anyway. Finally a magic mirror opens up and we get to choose a wedding dress for the princess’s bestest friend. Like all the other experiences I found the acting to be first class and if anything it is their belief in what they are doing that means the children are thrilled and follow into the fantasy.

Birds of Prey – 

There was an impressive flying demonstration of some of the most amazing birds in the castle demonstration.

The Bird display is pretty incredible - the birds get real up close to visitors...

The bird handler was knowledgeable and seemed to make even the most mundane information sound fun. I saw Harris’ Hawks, Eagles with incredible wing spans and a huge Owl that seemed to have his own diva moment. It was fun to watch and because the birds are so well-trained they get right up close and personal. To see them fly is astounding.

Food and Drink –

Next on our stop was a bite to eat and we were pleasantly surprised to find quite a few venues within easy walking distance of the main attractions all with a different range of food and drink. There are quite a few marquees within the landscaped grounds but we opted for the 18th Century Coach House, which offered a pub style menu and we were pleased to see healthy snacks shown on the menus by the ‘Healthier Choices’ logo. We were also provided with free fresh fruit salad for the children’s meals which I thought was a real nicety.

Sword in the Stone Show –

Here the legendary tale of Arthur came to life. Within the gathering crowd the forces of good and evil stirred. Was the power of Good, justice and a bright new future going to befall the kingdom or was its destiny going to be ruled by darkness?  According to the story only the new King Arthur had the pureness of character to pull the legendary sword Excalibur from the stone. Again this was another real treat for the family; the acting first class, drawing you into the world of fantasy – very good indeed.

The Kingmaker – 

This is more for the history buffs amongst you, more like a museum than anything else. Here you can find out how weapons were made, how armour was crafted and see what mediaeval life was really like through sights, sounds and even smells. Like most of Warwick Castle this is history without barriers, and without ‘do not touch’ signs; you can get right up close and personal with your experience, try on helmets and touch and hold swords that would have been used in battle.

The Towers & Ramparts – 

Taking a well deserved rest from fantasy lands full of Princesses and stories of Merlin I decided to explore and check out the tower. Outside a sign warned me ‘One Way Only’ I wish I had taken heed; there are so many steps involved in getting to the top of the castle I needed a much-needed rest. However in truth it was all worth it as the view was awesome to see and I took loads of unbelievable shots of the surrounding countryside and the rest of the tower which, it has to be said is marvellous.

The Grounds & Gardens – 

I thought I would mention this if only to reiterate the fabulous layout of the grounds. My partner and I belong to the National Trust and getting away from it all is something we frequently relish as we live in the heart of

Besides the attractions - the castle grounds too are there to be enjoyed...

London. First built in 1068 on the orders of William the Conqueror, it formed the most important part of the Norman castle’s defence system. The hill by the castle has been described as the perfect vantage point, not for defending against marauding troops but for taking in the beautiful unfolding views of these peaceful grounds.  Walking around the gardens is incredibly tremendous and peaceful. Animals such as peacocks and birds are so well-kept that they just move freely. On our visit two peacocks went into their own fashion display in getting the visitor’s attention.

Firing of the Trebuchet –

The last thing we had time for was the demonstration of the castle’s Trebuchet. Effectively an old-fashioned manpowered catapult, used to keep enemies at bay. Again brought to life by first class actors and the Duke of the Castle who was more than happy to share useful info as to how it all worked and came about.

My Verdict

In one word: incredible.Warwick Castle has earned the term The Ultimate Castle but in reality the words don’t do it justice. There is so much to see that you probably won’t fit it all in one visit. Throughout our entire trip I saw many happy faces; children fulfilling their fantasies, adults with that tell-tale look on their face and not just because they had stayed at the hotel (it’s haunted apparently). I’m not sure but it has that rare effect of tapping the imagination that the bigger parks with all their big rides and commercialism seem to miss and what’s more it does it all simply, whether that is swords, whether that is soldiers on horse back whether it is Merlin and tales of magic. All staff I met were fantastic, whether actors or working on the gate, in the cafe, or the shop, it all added to making the visit more enjoyable.

Things you need to know:

Book online 7 days in advance

If you book online 7 days in advance you can save 30% off admission fees; book 48 hours in advance and save 20%: purchase a Warwick Castle Kingdom Ticket for entrance to Warwick Castle, The Castle Dungeon (over 10s only) and Merlin: The Dragon Tower for adults from £21.42; children aged 4-11 years from £18.06

For more info check out: http://www.warwick-castle.com/tickets-and-offers/ticket-prices.aspx

or their booking line on – 0871 265 2000

Travelling by Train

It takes from as little as 80 minutes to get to Warwick Station from London Marylebone.   To book your ticket, just visit  www.chilternrailways.co.uk  and remember, when you go by train you get 2 for 1 on entry to Warwick Castle.

Double check everything – Check the timings of trains, events, costs, even the weather before you get there and plan accordingly. Some of the attractions are outside and on our day it was quite nippy – be prepared. Also some shows are not repeated so it makes sense to plan ahead.

Have some spare cash – there is only one cash-point that I saw inside, and some of the attractions you have to pay for and kids always want snaps which cost too. When you plan ahead take these costs into consideration.

If you have the guts do try to stay over – the hotel is apparently a treat for the senses (so I am told) and lets face it there is too much to do in one day.

For more info check out

http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk/

As if you needed any more convincing – you should check out the video below

http://youtu.be/BJGPTSyRGBk

Patrick Dempsey to Race Lola in the American Le Mans Series 2012

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Dr Dreamy, Grey’s Anatomy’ star Patrick Dempsey is to race a Lola LMP2 car in the American Le Mans Series 2012. The multi-talented actor is branching out.

Dempsey Racing has confirmed plans to race in the American Le Mans Series 2012 with a Lola B12/80 LMP2 coupe chassis. Team Principal Patrick Dempsey – star of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and a number of Hollywood titles, will race the Huntingdon designed and built LMP2 coupe.

The team is gearing up for a possible debut at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May before competing in more races in this year’s American Le Mans Series. Dempsey and his team partners Joe Foster (team principal/driver) and Henri Richard (Silicon Tech Racing) have stated it is also their intention to race at the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours. The Lola B12/80 LMP2 coupe will be powered by Judd.

Dempsey, who established the Dempsey Racing team in 2003 has a real passion for the sport and has participated in many racing series, including ALMS and Grand-Am. The partnership between Dempsey Racing and Lola is an exciting time for the British company, who have achieved a number of accolades in recent years including taking the 2011 ALMS manufacturers title and finishing as the highest placed petrol powered car at Le Mans last year.

On the partnership with Lola, Patrick Dempsey said, “It is no secret that I really enjoyed my experience at Le Mans in 2009. Lola is a famous name throughout the world of racing. I kind of knew what they did at Indy and in sports cars from when I was a kid. I am relishing driving this brand new LMP2 design”.

Lola Executive Chairman, Martin Birrane said, “We welcome Dempsey Racing in to the Lola LMP family. Patrick, Joe and the team have shown in recent years that they are a professional and ambitious team but also one that recognises they need expertise and cutting edge technology and so have chosen to partner with Lola who will provide the very latest LMP2 design and engineering know-how for their programme. It has been a pleasure to work with the Dempsey team to make this announcement possible and we appreciate and recognise their methodical approach to racing”.