Olympic Torch route announced

The route the Olympic Torch will take across the country and through Tewkesbury Borough has been unveiled.  

In November it was announced that Brockworth, Shurdington and Maisemore were to be three of over 1,000 villages, towns and cities through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers, during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
 
On Wednesday 23 May, on the fifth day of its journey, the Olympic Flame will come into Brockworth on the Shurdington Road (A46) at 5.21pm. It will then enter Shurdington on the Shurdington Road (A46) at around 5.35pm where it will then travel out of the borough. The following day the Torch will be carried back into the borough through Maisemore on the A417 at 9.15am.

The roads along some sections of the route will be closed for some time before the torch arrives for safety reasons. However, access will be maintained for the emergency services and disruption will be kept to a minimum where possible.
 
Also announced today is that Ross Langers, aged 18 and from Gloucester has been chosen as the Torchbearer for Brockworth.
 
At the age of 11, Ross, who was at the Aston Villa Football Academy, stepped forward to help a local football club. Every week for four years, Ross ran the coaching, managed the team, phoned the parents, made arrangements with the opposition managers and referees, and marked the pitch.
 
Now at 18, Ross has continued his voluntary work coaching a ladies football team at the club for the past three years. Without Ross’ hard work and dedication, many of these young people, including children with learning difficulties and partial sight, would not have played football as they were turned away from other clubs.
 
During this time Ross also ran a school football team, whilst, he was playing himself at the highest possible level with all the time commitments that involves.
 
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Lead Member for Safer, Stronger and Healthier Communities Cllr Claire Wright said: “I’m sure that people of all ages across the borough will come together to celebrate this once in a lifetime opportunity.
 
“The eyes of the world will be upon us during these two days, offering us the chance to highlight the wonderful sense of community spirit we have here in the borough.
 
“Ross, who will carry the torch through Brockworth, is an excellent example of a real community hero. He has dedicated much of his life to helping others succeed in sport and we are honoured to have him as our Torchbearer.”
 
Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough Cllr Dave Waters added: “Tewkesbury Borough is looking forward to celebrating and welcoming the Olympic Torch, and plans are being finalised for celebration events at Brockworth Rugby Club, Shurdington Sports Club and The White Hart in Maisemore on the days the torch travels through each area.”
 
In the build up to the start of the Games, the Olympic Flame will make its journey from Greece and arrive in the UK on 18 May, ready for the Olympic Torch Relay to begin the following day.  Representing peace, unity and friendship, the Flame will start its 70-day journey around the UK towards the Stadium carried by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers.
 
The Relay will start its 70-day journey at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals a chance to see it and celebrate.
 
Further details on the Torch Relay and route along which the Torch will be carried can be viewed at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay or at www.stroud.gov.uk/london2012
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG added:
‘Today we bring the Olympic Torch Relay to life. The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets. Now the people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the Torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might  celebrate and make it Stroud District’s moment to shine.’
 
Further information:
An average of 115 Torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at 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.
 
LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors in each Nation and Region of the UK to devise the route and is taking the Olympic Flame to within ten miles of over 95% of the population.
 
Schools across the UK can now access free learning resources linked to the Olympic Torch Relay through Get Set ( london2012.com/getset ), the official London 2012 education programme. The activities are designed to help schools and colleges make the most of the Relay by lining the route, and cheering on their local Torchbearers. Resources include ideas for making Flame hats and shakers to welcome the Flame, an assembly presentation to get the school behind a Torchbearer and a film showing one Get Set network school's preparations for the Relay.

Evening celebration at Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse has been chosen as one of 66 locations across the UK to host an Olympic Torch Relay evening celebration.
The family event on 23 May will be free to attend and will revolve around a free stage show featuring an exciting mix of music, dance and digital media. The main stage show will be presented by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) together with presenting partners Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. The highlight of the evening will be the arrival of the Olympic flame and the symbolic lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
There will also be entertainment throughout the evening showcasing sporting and artistic talent from across Gloucestershire. Local bands, dance groups and arts organisations will be performing in the Entertainment Arena on the Parade Ring and an interactive sports village will feature a wide range of demonstrations and have-a-go activity stalls.
More details will be provided about the event over the coming months.

Explore Gloucestershire
19 March 2012

• Also see : London 2012

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