Torch Relay: Kirklees
Published on: 10th November 2011
Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Batley have been revealed as locations selected to host the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route giving communities across Kirklees the chance to welcome the Olympic flame to the district, share in the excitement the Relay will bring and celebrate the achievements of the Torchbearers carrying the torch on its journey.
The Torch Relay will pass through Marsh and Huddersfield on Sunday 24 June and return to travel through Batley and Dewsbury on Monday 25 June giving an opportunity to host community celebrations at the weekend and involve schools in events on the Monday.
The locations are amongst over 1,000 villages, towns and cities announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay which is presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. LOCOG has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors in Kirklees to devise the route.
Cllr Mehboob Khan, Leader of Kirklees Council said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for residents in Kirklees to see the Olympic Flame and witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay. It is a chance for Kirklees to shine alongside hundreds of other places which feature along the route. Communities can come together to celebrate and mark the countdown to the start of the Games and get involved in the Olympic at a local level.
“The council worked closely with Yorkshire Gold to encourage LOCOG to bring the Relay to Kirklees. I am particularly delighted the Torch will pass through both North and South Kirklees which recognises our efforts to ensure communities across Kirklees can get involved in this historic event first hand. They can also show their support to members of the community who have been chosen to run with the Olympic Flame as Torchbearers.”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: ‘We are thrilled to confirm that Huddersfield, Batley and Dewsbury will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people in Kirklees to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK. This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Kirklees 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.”
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, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.
Cllr Masood Ahmed, Kirklees Council Olympic Champion, said,” We are now starting to firm up the complex logistics of hosting the Relay and also to plan our celebrations around this exciting time. We would like to hear from community groups and organisations that are keen to plan events and activities which will help make each day the Relay passes through Kirklees a day to remember.”
Groups can register their interest with Kirklees Council by emailing martin.gonzalez@kirklees.gov.uk or ringing 01484 234059.
Today LOCOG launches two new public participation programmes. The ‘Local Leaders’ initiative is an invitation to people to take the 2012 Games into their community and create their own celebrations next year, for the Olympic Torch Relay and other key moments during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. People are encouraged to sign up to the Local Leader programme at www.london2012.com/localleaders to receive further information on a range of themed celebration ideas focusing on the Opening Ceremony evening, gardening, quizzes and barbecues and be in the front row to receive free London 2012 event materials to support events.
Also launched today is the ‘Get Set for the Olympic Torch Relay’ education resource, available to all schools registered with Get Set, London 2012’s official education programme. The aim of the resource is to provide schools with cross-curricular resources aimed at teachers working with 3 to 16 year olds to aid learning around history of Olympic Torch Relays, the design of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay and the Torch itself. A further education resource will launch next year to encourage schools to plan a welcome for the Olympic Flame and show support for the Torchbearers. Lloyds TSB, official Education Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, have launched their Flame Followers schools programme which compliments the Get Set resources, and gives schools once-in-a-lifetime opportunities be right at the heart of the excitement and celebrations of the Relay.
