London 2012 Olympic Flame to visit Shropshire twice
The Olympic Flame is to pass through Shropshire twice as it visits more than 1,000 villages, towns and cities on its way to the London 2012 opening ceremony.
Residents in south Shropshire will get the first glimpse of the torch when it passes through Ludlow, Cleehill, Cleobury Mortimer and Far Forest on Thursday, May 24 2012.
On Wednesday 30 May, the torch will enter north west Shropshire and pass through Oswestry, Pant, Shrewsbury, Cressage, Much Wenlock, Benthall, Broseley, Ironbridge, Telford and Newport before heading on to Stoke-on-Trent.
Some of the torch's route through Shropshire will be by convoy, other parts of it will see the flame carried by specially selected torchbearers. A total of 14 Shropshire communities will welcome the Olympic Flame.
Special Welcome in Much Wenlock
There will be a special welcome in the town of Much Wenlock, where Doctor William Penny Brookes founded the Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850 and inspired the revival of the modern Olympics in Athens in 1896. The annual Games continue to be held in the town to this day. The link has been recognised by the London 2012 Olympics as the Games’ official mascot is called Wenlock.
Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for active and healthy lifestyles, said:
“It is a great honour that 11 of our communities will be able to give a big welcome to the Olympic Flame. I am especially pleased that the torch will be passing through my home town of Oswestry as a starting point on its journey around the county on 30 May.
“I’m also excited that this fantastic opportunity will help showcase our beautiful county to the world, especially as Much Wenlock has such an important connection to the modern Olympics and the torch was designed by a former Shropshire art and design student.
“By passing through Shropshire the flame will offer everyone a chance to celebrate and take part in the countdown to the biggest cultural festival to happen in the UK for years.
“We hope that everyone who wants to will be able to take to the streets to wave their flags as the Torch Relay runs through Shropshire on its journey to London.”
Milner Whiteman, Shropshire Councillor for Much Wenlock, said:
“I am absolutely delighted that the Torch is coming through Much Wenlock and Benthall and calling in at the home town of Dr William Penny Brookes who inspired the re-birth of the Modern Olympic Games.”
Telford & Wrekin Council leader Kuldip Sahota said:
“Having the Olympic Flame come to Telford and Wrekin is a great honour for everyone in the borough and it will be a very special day in our history.
“Telford and Wrekin is synonymous with inspirational invention and innovation and that very much ties in with the ideals and ethos represented by the Olympic torch.
“I know that people in communities all over the borough are looking forward to seeing the Olympic flame and witnessing the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay.
“It will provide a chance for community celebrations to share in the Olympic spirit. It will also mark a countdown to the start of the Games and shine a light on all the communities which will welcome the flame."
Details Released
The details of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, were announced today by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe said: “We are thrilled to confirm that Shropshire will act as a host location for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people in the county to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK.
“This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Shropshire to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games.”
The 70 Day Relay
The 70 day Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall, on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK, giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine.
On the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, it is LOCOG’s intention that the Olympic Flame will travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community. In December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.
