I was also reminded of this connection between Scarborough and the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The previous year links were already being forged between the East Coast and the East End of the capital city ahead of the event.

A LONDON councillor has praised Scarborough during a visit to the area yesterday.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, a Cabinet member regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games from the Borough of Hackney, was in the area to forge links between the East End and East Coast during the run-up to next year’s event – a move christened “East Meets East”.

He said that Scarborough was providing a leadership to a renaissance that the area was experiencing. He said: “As far as Scarborough and Whitby are concerned I think that has got to bode well for the future of the town and its economy.”

Cllr Nicholson, who grew up in the York area, added that there was a “real future for the harbours of both Whitby and Scarborough”. He said: “There are not many places around Britain that can take on the work that we are talking about in the future.”

He said that developments such as a proposed North Sea windfarm and exploratory work on a new potash mine in the area were exciting projects.

Cllr Nicholson spent yesterday visiting facilities, such as the recently refurbished Spa Complex, as well as meeting with officials from Scarborough Council.

It is hoped that various exchange programmes between the two areas can be set up as well as a number of events to tie in with the Games’ activities including: culture and the arts, sport and education.

Cllr Nicholson said he hoped that young people from both areas could benefit from the exchange. He said: “They can be part of something valuable and life changing. Whether you are part of this as a volunteer or part of Team GB or whether you are part of a performing group or an artist.

“What I hope is that there will be people who live in our respective communities who will take away from this relationship a very valuable experience.”

Scarborough has already forged several links with the 2012 London Olympic Games and it is hoping to be included on the official route of the Olympic Torch as it tours the UK next year – which is expected to be announced next month.

Earlier this month it was revealed that Rachel Watson, a 26-year-old cleaner at Scarborough Hospital had been chosen from thousands of applicants to be volunteer at the Games.

And Airy Hill Farm, in Hunmanby, is one of more than 17,500 farms from across the country which will supply food to McDonald’s and help feed 9.7 million spectators, athletes and a workforce of 200,000 people during the Games.

From the Scarborough Evening News,Thursday, October 20, 2011.