Don't miss the Olympic party!
Published 10 Jul 2012 07:30
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OLYMPIAN Sharron Davies is urging people to turn out to cheer on the Olympic Torch today (Tuesday).
Ms Davies, who used to train at Bracknell Leisure Centre, carried the flame through Leominster in Herefordshire in May and is encouraging everyone to line the route in Bracknell to cheer on the torchbearers.
The three-time Olympic swimmer, who lived in Crowthorne in the 80s and early 90s, said: "It's incredible. I hope everybody comes out onto the street.
"I think this is going to be a great way that people who can't get hold of tickets or go to London can still feel part of the Games."
Ms Davies, speaking to the News before she presented student awards at Bracknell and Wokingham College on Monday last week, added: "I just hope the sun shines for you!"
Nine torchbearers will carry the flame through Bracknell, but only two are from the town.
One of them is lawyer Sharon Barton, 34, from Whitegrove, who said: "I'm feeling really excited and a bit nervous!"
The other local torchbearer, Richard March, 31, from Birch Hill, added: "As it gets nearer and nearer, people are talking about it more and asking me about it. I can't wait - it's going to be a great day."
Torchbearers Andy Jackson, from Wildridings, plans to make his torch a beacon of hope for Bracknell by using it to raise money for a debt advice charity.
Mr Jackson, who set up the Bracknell branch of Christians Against Poverty (Cap) in 2010, hopes to raise £8,000 for the organisation by asking people to give a donation to be photographed with the torch. He chose the target because 8,000 is the number of torchbearers and the number of holes in the gold-effect torch.
Mr Jackson, 48, who oversees social justice projects including Cap at Kerith Community Church in Church Road, Bracknell, said: "One of the reasons I was nominated to be a torchbearer was around setting up the debt centre with Cap, the national charity, so I thought it would be nice to complete the circle in a way. It is something close to my heart."
He will carry the torch through Maidenhead today (Tuesday).
Businesses along the torch route in Bracknell are preparing to celebrate, and both The Running Horse pub and The Royal Oak are putting up bunting and expect a large number of customers keen for a good view.
IT company Maximiser Software, based at Apex House in London Road, is inviting children from Holly Spring Infant and Junior Schools in Bullbrook and their parents to watch the relay from its offices. Managing director Mike Richardson said: "We thought we could add to the excitement and give them some refreshments and something to wave, and make it more of an occasion for them. Hopefully it will be good fun."
Travel info:
* The torch will be brought by motor convoy from Ascot and will arrive in Bracknell in London Road at the junction with New Forest Ride at 5.31pm.
* It will then be carried by torchbearers along London Road, Millennium Way and Skimped Hill Lane to the Peel Centre for 6pm.
* There will be temporary road closures as the torch passes. It will depend on crowd size whether eastbound traffic will be able to pass.
* Through traffic will be diverted along Harvest Ride and local traffic along Lily Hill Drive and Longhill Road.
* Parking will be banned on the A329 between the junction of New Forest Ride and the Met Office Roundabout.
* Council and other public car parks will open as usual. Blue Badge holders can park free in Car Park Seven on the northern side of The Ring opposite Easthampstead House from 4pm.
* There will be disruption from 6pm on the A329M westbound as the torch relay police escort team stops cars going ahead of the convoy as it travels from Bracknell to the Sutton Seeds roundabout junction with the A4 in Reading.
* See www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/london2012
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