Museum shop manager's role at Olympic Park (From Watford Observer)

Shop manager of Bushey Museum Barry Hyman's role as Olympic Park steward

12:40pm Saturday 11th August 2012 in News By Amie Mulderrig, Features Writer

The shop manager of Bushey Museum has undertaken a new role over the past week, by acting as a steward at the Olympic Park.

Barry Hyman, of Bushey Heath, has been selected as team leader for venue entry at the Olympic Park in Stratford.

He said: "I put my name forward ages ago, to see if they would actually take on old codgers, and they did.

"I have 12 duties, mostly midday until 8pm, but one from 6am to 1pm. "Week one was blisteringly hot and my team of ten and I were slapping on suncream. "The first Sunday left us drenched and shivering in our thin uniforms. "The job of seeing folks in, checking tickets, getting them safely and happily through queues and X-rays, is fairly simple, but eight hours on your feet is wearying."

According to Mr Hyman, his role has afforded him the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life including a few celebrities.

He said: "It was a case of ‘spot the celeb’ as they came in - there was Lord Strathclyde, Paul McCartney, Richard E Grant and Yoko Ono, to name just a few.

"But meeting volunteers from all walks of life was inspiring, students headteachers, lawyers, care assistants and a Trinidadian woman who has volunteered at the last six Olympics.

"It has been an unforgettable experience and my uniform goes into the dressing up basket for my children, who were underwhelmed by everything bar the Adidas Shoes and Swatch watch, and my grandchildren."