THE route the Olympic torch will take through Warrington on Thursday May 31 has been announced along with the list of those lucky residents who will have the honour of carrying it.
The “Flame” will arrive in Warrington from Halton via Liverpool Road at around 12.30pm. It will travel the length of Sankey Street, past the Golden Gates and Bank Park, where 300 primary school children will be taking part in a mini-Olympics.
It will then be carried to Market Gate where the 70-strong Warrington Male Voice Choir will perform, and then turn down Buttermarket Street and on to Winwick Street. The Torch will then call into Tesco for a 15-minute stop.
From there it will be carried up Winwick Road, down Jubilee Way and into Orford Park, where it will be met by a music and dance performance by 600 children and young people from schools across the borough.
The route has been announced by Warrington Borough Council and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG).
Members of the public are invited to line the streets throughout the town centre or to visit Orford Park to celebrate the achievements of the eight inspirational Torchbearers who will be carrying the Flame in Warrington.
Torchbearers include Great Sankey resident Stephen Deakin MBE. He is the manager of the Royal Liverpool Hospital transplant sports team and an enthusiastic campaigner for organ donation.
Stephen aged 50, said: “When I first heard I had been nominated I was absolutely made up but to be chosen to carry the torch. I am really honoured and humbled.”
Other torch bearers from Warrington include Emily Woodward age 12, Helen Lea, age 42, Ian Livingston and Jason El-kaleh age 17.
Cllr Terry O’Neill, leader of the council, said: “I would encourage everyone to come out and see the Flame as it comes through the town, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and a chance to get the countdown to London 2012 officially started in Warrington.”
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 Warrington’s moment to shine.”
Picture shows Council leader Terry O’Neill (left) and deputy Mike Hannon celebrating the news at the town’s Golden Gates.
4 Comments
well done to the town. and congratulation to Councillor Hannon for putting in the hard work to get the Orford park project off the ground. Despite others trying to get the credit for the project. the residents of Orford should recognise the dedication and hard work by our ward councillors
Emily Woodward goes to my high school we are all very excited for her.
I think this is a graet achivement for warrington. I know one girl who is running called Emily Woodward and all of her class are very proud and we all wish that we could watch her.
I belive that warrington are very honoured to have the olympic coming to warrington. I know a girl called Emily Woodward who is running. I think that she will do an amazing jb and all her friends are proud of her.