Merton residents have chosen Centre Court at The All England Lawn Tennis Club to represent their local area in the build-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.
Centre Court will be the image representing Merton on a celebratory set of 33 ‘Landmark London’ pin badges.
In the summer Merton Council teamed up with the London 2012 Organising Committee and London Councils to offer residents the opportunity to vote for their favourite local landmark to feature on the badges. Centre Court will feature alongside other London landmarks including the London Eye, the Globe Theatre, Battersea Power Station and the Tower of London.
The pin badges will go on sale next year.
Merton Council cabinet member for environment and leisure services Councillor David Simpson said: “I am thrilled that the people of Merton have had the opportunity to choose the image for Merton’s pin badge. The All England Club’s Centre Court is an iconic sporting venue known the world over which we are proud to have in our borough. It’s a perfect symbol to represent the Olympics coming to London.”
Chief Executive of the All England Club Ian Ritchie said: “We are very pleased that local people have chosen our Centre Court to go on Merton’s badge. Throughout all the major improvements to the stadium, including the spectacular new retractable roof this year, we have made sure Centre Court remains a landmark that everyone recognises and it’s wonderful to have an Olympic venue for one of the badge designs.”
The competition was organised by the London 2012 Organising Committee in partnership with London Councils and Merton Council.
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Notes to editors
The landmarks residents were able to vote for were:
Centre Court, AELTC
Centre Court has seen a number of changes since its first match in 1877. Now with a fully retractable roof, its iconic image is recognisable the world over.
Merton Abbey Mills
This craft village on the river Wandle is housed in the former Liberty silk- printing works, by the restored waterwheel. Pretty shops, a riverside pub, teahouse and pizza restaurant are threaded throughout the craft village.
Wimbledon Common Windmill
Wimbledon windmill is a very unusual mill. It has a two storey octagonal brick base, which housed all the working machinery. Above this is a conical tower which housed the post supporting the cap on which the sails are mounted.
Mitcham Clock Tower
The clock tower at Fair Green was erected in 1898 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee the previous year. It originally stood on the site of the old village pump, but has since been moved. It was the centre point of Mitcham where people used to meet.