Olympic Torch route unveiled
Published 19 Mar 2012 10:00
1 Comment
THE Olympic Torch Relay route through Reading and West Berkshire has been revealed.
The torch will enter the borough at 6pm on Tuesday, July 10, at the Sutton Seeds roundabout before travelling along London Road, crossing the IDR and being paraded along the riverside at The Oracle.
It will then be transported to the Madejski Stadium for around 7pm, where the torchbearer will light a cauldron to spark an evening of celebration, organised by Reading Borough Council and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
The council's culture and sport leader, Marian Livingston, said: 'Today's announcement of the route the Olympic flame will take across Reading will truly make this real for local residents.
"It will be so exciting to see the flame pass through so many local communities across our town and I know the people of Reading will give it a marvellous welcome. This really is a once-in-a-lifetime event."
The following morning, the torch will leave Caversham Court at 8am and be carried towards Caversham Bridge and then along the Thames, through Christchurch, before heading to the town centre for the second time and paraded along Broad Street.
It will then head south towards Northumberland Avenue in Whitley before leaving the borough. The flame will be taken to Theale, where it will be carried through the High Street at 10.20am to the junction witH St Ives Close by 10.35am, before being taken to Thatcham and Newbury.
West Berkshire's Olympic Games councillor, Carol Jackson-Doerge, said: "This will be a tremendous occasion that will help put West Berkshire on the national stage in this momentous year. I encourage as many people as possible to watch the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay, and cheer on the local torchbearers.
"I also know that today's announcement will further inspire our local communities to celebrate 2012 and support the many activities and events being staged across the district during the year."
LOCG chairman Sebastian Coe added: "The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets."
The torch relay will travel an estimated 8,000 miles - the equivalent of more than 300 marathons - passing through towns and cities including Oxford, Guildford, Southampton, Bristol and Manchester, completing its journey at the Olympic Stadium in London on Friday, July 27. It will be carried by an average of 115 people a day/
The exact streets along the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay can be viewed in full at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 19 Mar 12
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Mar 19, 12:01
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Mar 19, 13:36
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DearyMe
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Mar 20, 12:17
Report commentShame it doesnt go the full length of Northumberland Ave as I'm sure the kids of Geoffrey Field school would of loved to see the torch go past their school so they could give a big cheer of support!
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