Telford schools light the way for Olympic torch

Pupils from the Lord Silkin School in Stirchley and its surrounding primary schools will be joined by county Paralympian Mickey Bushell on the relay route through Telford today.

The athlete is a former Lord Silkin School pupil and is a medal hope for Great Britain, having clinched a silver medal in Beijing in 2008.

Also at the event will be Olympic javelin coach John Trower, Deputy Team Leader for the GB Athletics Team at the Beijing Olympics 2008.

The torch, made by the pupils at Windmill Primary School, will be carried by 30 pupils from the schools on a route to the Lord Silkin School with medals presented to each of the runners.

Trevor Goddard, headteacher of the Lord Silkin School, said: “Everyone is caught up in the excitement of the Olympics and the Torch Relay coming to Telford. One of our pupils, Jack Smith, and former pupil, Corporal Ricky Furgusson are official torch bearers.

“But we wanted to do something to include all the youngsters, both at the Lord Silkin School and those who attend our five feeder schools, Hollinswood Infant and Junior, Randley, Grange Park, Holmer Lake and Windmill.

“One boy and one girl from each year of the feeder schools as well as two boys and girls from each house at the Lord Silkin School will carry the torch on a route from Hollinswood to our playground, with fellow pupils lining the route waving flags.

“Mickey Bushell will join the runners and they will be greeted by our samba and steel bands, and there will also be a firework display to mark the end of the event.”

John Trower, who has coached medal-winning javelin throwers including legend Steve Backley, will speak to pupils before presenting medals to the runners.

The relay will leave the Hollinswood Infant School at 11am, heading on a route to schools in Randlay, Grange Park, Holmer Lake, Windmill, arriving at the Lord Silkin School at 1pm.