Steering Groups in Appleby and Brough are forging ahead with their community celebrations to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay arrival in Eden District on 20 June 2012. Events and activities are being planned by local schools and community groups in both localities to celebrate this once in a lifetime event.
The Olympic Torch enters Cumbria through Eden at Brough on 20 June, and then travels to Appleby before arriving in Penrith. Local communities have the opportunity to participate in this unique event, by embracing the Olympic spirit and cheering on the nominated Torch Bearers as they travel across Britain.
Take up of community involvement in Penrith has been somewhat lower with only a small number of local organisations, schools, businesses and sports clubs coming forward to form a Steering Group, to plan an event to celebrate the Olympic Torch Relay passing through the town centre.
Eden District Council’s Communities Portfolio Holder and Deputy Leader, Councillor Mary Robinson, said: “The Olympics is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the Torch Relay is a focal part of the build up, events of this magnitude don’t come to your home town every day! This is a real opportunity to promote Eden and for people to get involved and organise an event their town can be proud of.
“For the Penrith Olympic Torch Relay event to happen, local organisations and businesses need to lend their support and be part of the town’s Steering Group, so they create an event to remember. Local communities are very much in the driving seat for planning these events with public sector bodies lending support.”
The next meeting of the Penrith Olympic Torch Relay Steering Group is taking place at the Frenchfield Sports Centre Pavilion, from 7pm on Thursday 23 February 2012. For more information contact Eden’s District Council’s Leisure Team tel: 01768 817817 or email leisure@eden.gov.uk
In Brough, local schools are turning out to watch the Olympic Torch Relay as it enters Cumbria for the first time. As part of the special day, local schools are organising a sports day and a parade to following the Olympic Torch Relay. The next meeting of the Brough Steering Group is taking place at the Reading Rooms in Brough on 27 February at 7pm.
In Appleby, the local community has been working with local schools and community groups, including the Euphoric Circus to put on an array of activities around the Olympic Torch Relays’ arrival, including Appleby Primary School pupils designing their own commemorative Olympic medals. The activities are being planned to take place around The Sands and the town’s bowling club. The next Appleby Steering Group meeting is being held at Centre 67 from 7pm on 6 March 2012.
Eden residents may be amongst the 8,000 Torch Bearers who the general public have nominated to carry the Olympic Flame across the UK. The 70 day Torch Relay starts on the 18 May 2012. The London 2012 Organising Committee has contacted the successful individuals who have been invited to be Torch Bearers and final places will be confirmed next month.
Councillor Mary Robinson added: “I am delighted to see community groups in Brough and Appleby are racing ahead with their event planning for the Olympic Torch Relay’s arrival on 20 June. It would be great to see community groups in Penrith matching their enthusiasm and to have the whole of the District buzzing with the Olympic Spirit.”
A range of support is available to communities who organise events to celebrate the Olympic Flame as it travels through their area. By visiting www.london2012.com you can sign up to be become a Local Leader and organise an Olympic celebration event in your community. A wealth of supporting information is available online, including tips for planning your event, posters, planning guides and a Local Leaders’ events pack.
Community groups organising Olympic Torch Relay events can apply to Eden District Council’s Community Fund for a grant to support their event. For more details visit www.eden.gov.uk/communityfund For more information about the London 2012 Olympic Games visit www.london2012.com
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Notes to Editors
For more information contact the Communication Officer at Eden District Council tel: 01768 212137.
To contact the press office for London 2012 email: pressoffice@london2012.com
