50,000 Cheer Olympic Torch Through Charnwood Borough Council

AROUND 50,000 people turned Charnwood into a giant street party to welcome the iconic Olympic Torch Relay into the Borough.

Crowds from every corner of Charnwood flocked to Quorn, Loughborough, Hoton and Wymeswold to catch a glimpse of the Flame as it was carried by inspirational Torchbearers on Tuesday, July 3.

The route took in quintessential landmarks such as the Great Central Railway, the Sock Man, the university’s state-of-the-art training facilities used by many Team GB athletes, and some of the Borough’s picturesque village centres.

Councillor David Slater, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, described the Charnwood stage of the torch relay as “a joyous occasion with a carnival atmosphere”.

He said: “I thought our Borough did the Olympic Torch Relay proud and I was so proud to see so many people enjoying the occasion.

“Market towns, in particular, are all about their people and I thought that was encapsulated at the event – a real occasion in everyone’s lifetime.”

Councillor Diane Wise, Mayor of Charnwood, said: “It was a wonderful occasion and I think the crowd numbers exceeded all expectations.

“It was an event which united the Borough with toddlers, schoolchildren, parents and grandparents all enjoying the event.”

Nicky Morgan, MP for Loughborough, said: “It has been our opportunity to show the world how great the Borough is, and it puts a really positive face on Loughborough.”

Around 20,000 people celebrated within the town centre alone, creating a colourful carnival atmosphere as they enjoyed spectacular entertainment in an exciting 90-minute build-up to the magical moment when the torch arrived in Ashby Square at just after 11am.

There were performances from Loughborough Endowed Schools, Roundhill College, Thurmaston, the 1st Loughborough Boys and Girls Brigade as well as appearances from stilt walkers and other street entertainers.

Torchbearer Harry Wells made his once-in-a-lifetime journey with the torch from Ashby Road to Market Place where he was met at the Sock Man by his extended family, including son, Andrew, and his grandchildren.

Harry, 64, has a lifelong love of football, playing and managing Quorn and Loughborough Dynamo, and now devotes much of his life to coaching and supporting young players.

He said: “I think I have experienced every emotion and the crowds were unbelievable. I am so proud and the people of Charnwood did us proud.

“It was a noisy, fantastic experience and a thrill to so many youngsters enjoying the occasion. They are what my work is all about in giving something back to the sport.”

There were massive crowds at The Rushes, High Street and Baxter Gate as the torch relay snaked its way through the town centre.

Seven-year-old Joan Kelly was on Baxter Gate with her mum, Colette, and dad, Andrew. She had made her own Olympic torch just for the occasion which will linger long in the memory of Charnwood folk.

“It took me about four minutes to make,” she said. “It was a great day and the stewards were so nice and kind as they let me go through to watch at the front.”

Her thoughts were echoed by mum, Colette, who said: “It has been great and something we will all remember for a long time.”

Hundreds of shoppers then stayed in the town after the torch relay had passed.

Earlier, the torch had arrived in Charnwood by train along the Great Central Railway from Leicester to Quorn at just after 8.45am.

From Quorn, the torchbearers were cheered every step of the way by rapturous crowds as the torch made its way along Forest Road and Woodhouse Road before heading onto Loughborough Road. It was then driven to Loughborough.

May Bygrave, of Nanpantan, was there to see her nephew, Mick Wells, on his way with the Olympic torch from Forest Road and she said: “It was a very proud day for us. Mick does a lot of work for the Royal British Legion and Air Cadets.”

Around 9.10am, the torch relay arrived in Loughborough on the A6004 ring road to be greeted by a large contingent of well-wishers on Epinal Way where it was carried along to University Road and then into the grounds of Loughborough University, where more than 3,000 schoolchildren had gathered.

Loughborough mum Sarah Staples was at Epinal Way with daughter, Emily, three. They had also watched the dress rehearsal. Sarah said: “It was a great atmosphere and we have seen it twice now which can’t be bad.”

The golden moments in the Borough’s history continued as the torch relay joined the A60 Nottingham Road to Hoton.

It arrived in Prestwold Lane and through the village centre before being driven to Wymeswold for the final leg of its Charnwood journey, arriving in Wymeswold and travelling along Far Street and East Street before being driven out of the Borough towards Asfordby.

To see a selection of images from Torch Relay day, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/charnwoodbc