I have - and I hope as many residents of Greenwich and other parts of London and beyond will do so too.  The formal process of selecting volunteers has not started yet but you can register your interest.  There are two types of volunteer - specialists such as those with medical training and non-specialists who are happy to help out with whatever needs doing.  I'm in the latter category!  Aside from all the debates about the cost, the 2012 Games will be a major moment in British history.  Be a part of it and help to make it a success. 

More details here.

The Olympics have already proved to be the best for Great Britain in 100 years - and there remain hopes it will get better yet.  What has been astonishing is how even the least sports minded person, me among them, has been glued to the television or radio or internet, waiting to see the latest results. 

Many are asking why, suddenly, it seems Great Britain is leading the world in sports.  It seems to me, that as well as a lot of Lottery money, there is a much more professional approach to the preparation and training of athletes.  Specialists are brought in from a range of fields to assist, from psychiatrists to physios and athletes are much more focused than ever before.  Simply, there is a spirit of elitism.

I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of that spirit in our schools.  Competitive sport has been an unpopular subject in some quarters of late.  Perhaps seeing so many medals returning from China will start to reverse that trend.  I certainly hope so.

The latest bad news on the economy will come as no surprise to most people.  Unemployment has increased by 60,000 in a month and inflation is more than twice the government's official target.  Meanwhile, home reposesssions are running at more than 100 per day, heating our homes is almost unaffordable for many people and basic food bills are soaring.

There is real misery out there.  People who once thought of themselves as middle class or middle income are not exempt from these harsh economic problems - it might be argued they are hardest hit.

With the government seemingly unable to decide which way to jump, there is growing fear and anger in the country.  It is going to be a very hard and depressing winter for millions of families, many of who will be asking where the billions in extra taxes have gone at a time when they desperately need help.

If you have never visited the Well Hall Pleasaunce in Well Hall Road, please make a point of finding half an hour to do so - it is beautiful.  The historic gardens date back to the 13th century and are an amazing tribute to what hard work, generous funding and the commitment of local volunteers can do.  And let's not forget the role of the team from Greenwich Council who also put their backs into it - meaning the gardens have won the coveted Green Flag annually since 2003.

I have recently written to the local GLA Member asking for him to support proposals for a screen along the perimiter bordering the A2 - the noise and air pollution from that road are a serious threat to the future improvement plans for the park.  The Well Hall Pleasaunce Friends group have been campaigning for such an improvement but so far neither Greenwich Council or TfL have been able to find the funding.  At around half a million pounds I can see that it is a big ask - but the improvements to the local community could be enormous.

I will let you know what answer I receive.