Shropshire set for Olympic Torch as flame is lit in Greece
With only two weeks to go until Shropshire’s first visit from the Olympic Torch on 24 May followed by a second visit on 30 May, preparations are underway to ensure that everyone enjoys a memorable day.
The Olympic Torch was today lit in Olympia, Greece and is set to arrive in the UK on 18 May when it will start to make its 70 day journey through more than 1000 different communities, before entering the Olympic stadium in London on Friday 27 July. Here the last Torchbearer will light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, marking the official start of the Games.
A very precise ritual for the lighting of the Flame is followed at every Games. It is lit from the sun’s rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, in a traditional ceremony among the ruins of the home of the ancient Games.
After a short relay around Greece, the Flame is handed over to the new Host City (London) at another ceremony in the Panathenaiko stadium in Athens.
Olympic Torch Relay through Shropshire
The Flame will travel through the communities of Ludlow, Clee Hill and Cleobury Mortimer on Thursday 24 May and Oswestry, Pant, Llanymynech, Shrewsbury, Cressage, Much Wenlock, Benthall, Broseley, Ironbridge, Telford and Newport on Wednesday 30 May 2012.
Among the torchbearers carrying the flame on its journey through Shropshire will be Matthew Clark, 15, from Lydbury, Rachel Harvey, 39, from Shrewsbury, Dani Rowlinson, 14, from Wellington, Jack Smith, 15, from Aqueduct, Saffron Allen, 16, from Ironbridge, Katie Row, 18, from Much Wenlock and Sarah Thomas, 17, from Shrewsbury.
Shropshire Olympic Torch Route Maps and Times
Information showing where and when you can see the see the torch as it travels through the borough of Telford & Wrekin can be seen at www.telford.gov.uk/london2012torch and through Shropshire at www.shropshire.gov.uk/london2012.
Street-by-street details and proposed start times for when the Olympic Flame will travel through the region on its eight week journey across the British Isles can be seen at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay.
Community Support
Communities and schools across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are being encouraged to line the route and welcome the Flame, celebrate the achievements of the inspirational Torchbearers carrying the Flame in their community and share in the excitement of the once in a lifetime opportunity which is the Olympic Torch Relay.
Telford & Wrekin Council leader Cllr Kuldip Sahota said:
“The Olympic Torch visit to Telford & Wrekin promises to be a great day for people in the borough to get involved in the excitement of the London 2012 games.
“It’s also a great opportunity to put the borough into the world’s window and in Ironbridge we have one of the most iconic locations the torch will pass through.
“I hope that thousands of people will come out to line the streets and follow the flame on its journey through the borough."
Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for active and healthy lifestyles, said:
“The countdown has begun! It is a great honour that 11 of our communities will be able to give a big welcome to the Olympic Flame and the inspirational torchbearers. As well as residents and visitors, over 15,000 school children will be lining the streets throughout Shropshire to welcome the Torch.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to help showcase our beautiful county to the world, especially as Much Wenlock has such an important connection to the modern Olympics.”
