Thousands watch Olympic Torch pass through Shropshire
Thousands of people took to the streets of Shropshire today as the Olympic Torch visited the county for the second time, a day that will live long in the memory of many people.
After entering Shropshire the first stop was in Oswestry were a packed town centre welcomed the flame.
Police motorcycle outriders and vehicles signaled the start of the torch relay, they were followed by Samsung, Coke and Lloyds sponsor vehicles. The flame was not far behind.
On leaving Oswestry the torch travelled through Pant and Llanymynech were crowds who turned out for the torch before crossing the border into Wales and passing through Welshpool.
Shropshire Council says an estimated 10,000 people watched the flame pass through Oswestry, Pant and Llanymynech.
From Welshpool the flame travelled in ‘transit mode’ along the A458 before the relay entered Shrewsbury beginning at The Grapes on the Welshpool Road.
40,000 watch torch pass through Shrewsbury
One of the torch bearers in Shrewsbury was Sarah Thomas, the 18-year-old has been a young carer from an early age for both her parents but primarily for her Mum who has Multiple Sclerosis. She handed over to Graham Slade, who received a rapturous reception from the crowd.
An estimated 40,000 people watched the flame pass through Shrewsbury.
After watching the Olympic Torch pass through Shrewsbury town centre, students from Shrewsbury Sixth Form College performed music and dance in The Square.
School children welcome flame to Cressage
From Shrewsbury the torch went into ‘transit mode’ on Wenlock road before the relay was picked back up in Cressage. Excited schoolchildren welcomed the torch waving flags and banners.
Eric Heath, 28, a keen disabled cricketer and sportsman, and Philip Wood, 33, who is involved in the Bridgnorth Rowing Club were two of the torch bearers who carried the flame through Cressage.
A lunch break in Much Wenlock
From Cressage the flame entered convoy mode before entering Much Wenlock - the birthplace of the modern-day Olympics.
As the torch was carried past William Penny-Brookes' house, it marked a poignant moment for the Olympic Torch Relay. In 1850 Brookes formed the Wenlock Olympian Class and is regarded as the founding father of the modern Olympics.
Highlights from the lunchtime stop include a successful World Record attempt by the students at William Brookes School – they managed to run 231, 100m relays in one hour, smashing the record which is 191; and Olympic Archer Alison Williamson carrying the Torch out of school.
Around 10,000 people, including the national media descended on Much Wenlock to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay.
From Much Wenlock the torch went into ‘transit mode’ before going back into relay mode through Benthall and Broseley.
Shropshire Council says 6,000 people watched the flame pass through Benthall and Broseley combined.
A picture perfect moment in Ironbridge
In Ironbridge, school children, residents and visitors lined The Wharfage as the torch was carried over the Iron Bridge at 3.14pm. It was greeted a performance of Chariots of Fire by the Abraham Darby Academy Band. The Phoenix School Steel Band and school dance group entertained the crowds further along The Wharfage.
The torch was carried over the bridge by bearer Lyndon Flavell who posed for photos with the Iron Bridge decked with flags and a flotilla of boats underneath.
Telford events welcome Olympic Torch
In Telford a range of activities before and after the Torch’s visit to Telford helped make a memorable day for many. Street entertainers performed outside House of Fraser and Darby House along with music form the Lord Silkin School Steel Band and the Old Park School Samba Band, the Free Radio roadshow was also in the town centre.
Joanne Engvikson, a youth worker for Hollinswood and Randlay parish council was one of the torch bearers.
Community celebration for Newport
In Newport, the town’s High St was transformed into a community celebration involving more than 1,600 school children and thousands of others eager to welcome the Olympic flame and its inspirational torch bearers.
Events included cycling and running relay races and displays which involved children from local schools, while a number of other town sports clubs set up displays in the High Street area.
The Loyal Newport Volunteers, one of only two private armies in the country still in existence, were on hand to provide some extra colour and welcome a civic group including the High Sherriff of Shropshire, European Gold medallist 68 year old triathlete Hilary Stevenson and relatives of Newport’s 1968 Olympic Gold medallist, Ben Jones.
The last person to carry the torch in Shropshire was Hayden Mills, a 20-year-old computer science student at the University of Birmingham. Hayden overcame a brain tumour and is now studying for a degree.
