One year to go and the papers are full of it.  The old fox was on the prowl in Sheffield this morning appearing on Rony Robinson's Radio show on BBC Sheffield to beat the BT Storytellers' drum. Some folk in Sheffield don't reckon that the games is much to do with them and it's another thing that favours "them down south." Hang on a minute, you good citizens of the steel city, Seb Coe may have been born in London but he was brought up and educated in Sheffield and hasn't forgotten the fact. He made a beeline for the grey one at the recent storytellers' launch in order to renew his acquaintance with the East Midlands. Anyway, is there a more golden girl in the whole of British Athletics than Jessica Ennis? She's a great ambassador for sport and is always encouraging the Sheffield youngsters in their endeavours.
   The fox had to admit that folk in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool or Newcastle also might very well feel neglected but the old grey matter didn't move fast enough for him to run through the tremendous boost the whole shoot has given to the profile of British Industry (from all over the country) in the eyes of the world.

  The tele was on last Sunday to see the climax of the Tour de France and the great Mark Cavendish riding a finish like the fabled Lester Piggot at Epsom, to win his 20th tour stage and the coveted green jersey. Plans are not clear for him and Brad Wiggins for 2012 as it is understood that the Tour will finish only a few days before the Games commence. Remember 2008 when Mark pulled out of the Tour to concentrate on the Games and came home without a medal?   No matter now as he's simply huge on the Continent where road-racers are like top class soccer stars are here.

  The Velodrome was one of the highlights of the Storytellers' recent London jaunt. It's so immense that the fox's camera needed a very much wider angle lens to get it in. What's more, there are no plans to reduce its capacity after the games, unlike the stadium itself and the aquatic centre.   Cycling is getter bigger over here thanks to Wiggins, Hoy, Cavendish, Pendleton, Romero, Houvenagel and Armitstead et al and the Velodrome is reported to have been over-subscribed ticket-wise by many hundreds of times.

  Well, the family are moving earth tomorrow so it looks as though Mrs Vixen needs a hand.  Don't forget -one year to go! Keep up with all the news and views on our BT Storytellers' Website.

Urban Fox

Greetings, friends. Unlike most aged and extremely dull hounds we old vulpines are very partial to the odd new trick. Therefore this particular poultry-botherer is setting out on the blogging and tweeting trail all due to the good offices of BT who have appointed him one of the hundred or so Storytellers for the 2012 games. This is more fun than a crowded hen-roost with the shutter left open at midnight!

So, last Thursday the fox took the train to St Pancras to meet up with 14 other storytellers and associated media bods right on the toes of the great John Betjeman who continued to stare into the rafters during the whole circus. There were photoshoots with Daley Thompson, as natural a mickey-taker as one can get, and, later on, Seb Coe who, delayed in Amsterdam by Donner and all his legions (it was Thorsday after all) duly arrived by courtesy of a taxi-bike from the airport.

Anyway, the aged one was pleased to meet Maureen, just a few years senior, who is a member of a Rock Choir with an average age of 70+, just the sort of foxy lady it's well worth getting to know. The other guys were all talented in various directions and many packed some impressive sporting credentials. All in all they formed an incredible group and there was great enthusiasm for the coming chase.

After lunch it was off via Javelin train, bus and the DLR for a trip around the Olympic Park. Our guide was none other than Jerome Frost, yet to break forty and head of design for the whole shooting match. Jerome gave a very impressive update on progress ON TIME and UNDER BUDGET! Was this really British engineering? Even a cynical old fox had to admit it was pretty good.

BT must have pulled all the stops out as the company were privileged to have a stroll within the very stadium itself. Perhaps it was the presence of Daley, turning up for yet another shoot with admirable patience and good humour, that finally raised the jobsworth barrier. Not to be outshone by greatness, some of the younger guys got on their imaginary blocks at the start of the 100 metre straight but were prevented from sprinting by the well known nemesis of all things fun, Mr Health and Safety. No matter, they all have bragging rights having crossed the line a year ahead of Bolt et al.

Well friends, that was a fabulous day and an old fox was never so glad to go to earth that night having been on the prowl since 5 a.m.

New experiences, new friends, new places! Just about as good as it gets.

Watch this space for further news. Let's get the feathers flying for 2012!