The route the Olympic Torch Relay will travel through Eden District on 20 June has been officially confirmed. The Torch Relay enters Cumbria through Brough, before moving to Appleby and then Penrith.
Celebration events are being planned across Eden by community led Steering Groups to welcome this once in a lifetime event. In Brough local schools are hosting a mini Olympics, in Appleby community groups are organising an afternoon tea party at the town’s bowling club and events and activities around the Sands area. In Penrith a procession is being planned through the town centre with participating sports clubs and community organisations.
Residents, businesses and visitors are being encouraged to take part in these activities and celebrate the achievements of the inspirational Torchbearers carrying the Flame in their community and share in the excitement the Olympic Torch Relay brings.
The streets along the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, which can be viewed in full at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay, gives street-by-street details and proposed start times for when the Olympic Flame will travel through Eden District. Residents living in and around each route can find out when it will be travelling along their nearest high street, through their town square or past their local village shop.
The Torchbearers confirmed to carry the Flame through Eden District today, include those that were successful through the public nomination processes run by LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. LOCOG has endeavoured to slot all community Torchbearers within an hour of their nomination address so family and friends can cheer them on. Each Torchbearer will wear a white and gold uniform which been designed by adidas.
Eden District Council’s Communities Portfolio Holder and Deputy Leader, Councillor Mary Robinson, said: “The Olympic Torch Relay is a real opportunity for local communities to come together and celebrate the build up to London 2012 and showcase the beautiful District and character laden towns we are all justifiably proud of. Eden communities will turn and give loud cheers for the inspirational Torchbearers as they travel through our area.”
Duncan Vaughan is one of the Torchbearers, who will be carrying the Olympic Flame through Eden. Duncan was nominated to carry the Torch after he remarkably ran five international marathons in 2009 to raise money for cancer charities, Christies and Macmillan. He kept fans and supporters up to date with his progress via his running blog, www.fivemarathons.com, which attracted over 2,000 followers across the globe, helping him raise around £15,000 for the charities.
Duncan said: “I am so proud to be able to carry the Olympic Torch through Eden. With the eyes of the world upon us, this is our opportunity to showcase just how beautiful our home is. I’ve been honoured to represent Christies and Macmillan all over the world, but what could compare to running with the Olympic flame in front of your home crowd?”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “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 Eden District’s moment to shine.”
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 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.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information contact Eden District Council tel: 01768 817817.
As the longest standing Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola will be using its heritage and experience to spread excitement across the UK ahead of London 2012. Coca-Cola's national nomination campaign - Future Flames – has focused on finding inspirational young people from across the country to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame.
This summer Coca-Cola will celebrate these Future Flames: young people who use their passions in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities. Find out more at: www.coca-cola.co.uk/olympic-games
As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the spirit and inspiration of the Olympic Flame right to the heart of communities across the UK. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland will be the National Presenting Partner in Scotland. Schools can be right at the heart of the celebrations through our Flame Followers programme, giving them access to free resources to get their pupils inspired and excited about the Olympic Torch Relay (schools can register at www.lloydstsb.com/flamefollowers). Customers can be the first to hear how they can follow the Olympic Flame, through our customer-exclusive programme Trackside. Find out more at www.lloydstsb.com/london2012
As a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung aims to encourage everyone to be part of the London 2012 Torch Relay to make London 2012 ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games.’ We aspire to offer new and memorable experiences for everyone around the world. Samsung is providing 1,360 Torchbearers, who have “gone the extra mile” by contributing to the local communities, through its worldwide public nomination campaign. Samsung will support towns and cities to celebrate the exciting moment of the Torch Relay and help showcase Great Britain’s cultural landmarks to provide a more enjoyable experience to everyone.
The evening celebrations that will be staged in 66 towns and cities throughout the Olympic Flame’s journey across the UK, will allow Samsung to entertain the community they are visiting. The Samsung caravan, complete with LED screen on the side showcasing runners and goodwill messages, will travel with Torchbearers around the UK cheering up everyone to celebrate the Torch Relay with music and interaction with local communities. It is Samsung’s ambition that London 2012 will be an event that reaches and involves more people than on any other Olympic Games occasion. To learn more about Samsung’s London 2012 Olympic programme, please visit www.samsung.com/london2012
