Half an hour from Olympic history!!

 

 

 

 

Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford and Southend are among 1,000 'communities on route' selected to host the flame as it travels around Britain on its way to the Olympic Stadium.

Organisers of the London 2012 games made a pledge that nearly everyone in the country would be no further than an hour away from a host location.

But on Friday 6th July, 2012, residents in south Essex will be less than half an hour from coming face to face with sporting history as the flame closes in on the capital.

This will be your chance to come and see the flickering symbol which epitomises the spirit of the biggest sporting spectacle in the world.

In each location the flame will be carried by specially selected torchbearers each with their own unique story to tell.

And a host of sporting and cultural events is currently being arranged to coincide with the flame's visit to the region.

The communities on route were announced today (Monday 7th November) by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Derek Jarvis, said he was thrilled the flame would be coming to the town.

He said: "It is fantastic that Southend is going to become part of history by hosting the Olympic Torch Relay.

"The flame's visit to the town will be a spectacular occasion for thousands of people and plans are already underway to make July 6, 2012, a day to remember.

Councillor Tony Ball, Leader of Basildon Council said: "It is a great honour for Basildon to be part of the Olympic torch route.

"We are very pleased that residents of the borough will have the opportunity to see what will be a great spectacle and a wonderful chance for community celebration.

 

"Through the Sporting Village, Basildon has become synonymous with sporting excellence. Not only do we have a number of potential Olympic athletes from the borough training at the facility, but we have also formed a strong link with the Japanese swimming team who will be using the facility as the training base ahead of the Games.

 

"The torch relay will provide the countdown to what is sure to be a superb Olympics, and we are very proud to be a part of this."

Councillor Pam Challis OBE, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council, said: "This will be an incredible opportunity for both school children and the wider community to see the Olympic Flame and to experience the excitement that the Olympic event will bring to our Borough"

Rochford District Council's Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Tourism, Heritage, the Arts, Culture and Business, Councillor Keith Gordon, said: "The Rochford District is proud of its rich history and heritage, and we are both honoured and excited that another chapter will be added with the visit of the Olympic Torch celebrating what I'm sure will be a spectacular Games next year."

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: "We are thrilled to confirm that Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford and Southend will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame

 

"This is the UK's moment to shine and I want to encourage people across south east Essex to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games."

LOCOG has worked closely with numerous organisations across south east Essex to devise the route for the torch relay, which is being sponsored by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

The 70-day Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land's End, Cornwall, on the morning of 19 May 2012.

On leaving Land's End it will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals a chance to be part of Olympic history.

Around 8,000 torch bearers will carry the flame, which will travel on a host of alternative methods of transport as it makes its way around the country.

On the final day of the torch relay - July 27, 2012 - it is hoped the flame will travel down the River Thames towards the Olympic Stadium for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

To see the nearest community to you where you can see the flame go to www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap