Shropshire ready for Olympic Torch as relay starts from Land's End
The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay began its 70 day journey across the UK from Land’s End in Cornwall today.
The Flame arrived at Land’s End from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in a Search and Rescue helicopter sporting a specially painted gold blade at 7.00am.
The Flame was walked from the helicopter to the Land’s End signpost by Lieutenant Commander Richard Full a member of the Royal Navy Search and Rescue Squadron for the lighting of the first Torch and the start of the Olympic Torch Relay. The first Torchbearer of the London 2012 Relay, Ben Ainslie, started the torchbearing from the signpost.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: ‘The start of the Olympic Torch Relay is the beginning of an exciting summer of sport across the UK. The Relay will last for 70 days and the Flame will carry with it the values and spirit of the Olympic Games across the UK.
‘A huge thank you to all those who have been involved in the planning process who have helped the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay come to life. Everyone has played their part in giving thousands of inspirational people and hundreds of communities their moment to shine.’
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.
