Thousands to line streets to welcome torch (From Warrington Guardian)
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Thousands to line streets to welcome torch to Warrington
9:00am Thursday 31st May 2012 in News
THOUSANDS are expected to gather in Warrington town centre today, Thursday, as the Olympic torch hits town.
The flame will be in the town centre for around one hour on a route that passes the Town Hall, town centre and The Halliwell Jones Stadium before arriving in Orford Park.
Thousands of schoolchildren will be among those lining the route as 13 torch bearers make their way along the roads.
Eleven will carry the flame 0.2 miles each from Crosfields Island to Orford Park, with a further two taking it on a short trip to BT in Gemini for a sponsored stop.
Eight confirmed runners in Warrington are St Peter’s Primary head teacher Helen Lea, Jason El-kaleh, a volunteer with the Warrington Wolves charitable foundation, Steve Deakin MBE, a 51-year-old transplant games champion from Warrington and Emily Woodward, aged 12, of Birchwood High.
The other four are Tina Bye, from Brighton, Brian Norris, from Manchester, John Paul Smith, from Rainhill and Sue Stout, from Liverpool.
The torch will arrive in town in ‘convoy mode’ (in a vehicle) around 1pm and will arrive at Orford Park at 1.50pm.
There will be a 15 minute sponsored stop at Tesco Extra on Winwick Road around 1.15pm.
Clr 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 life-time opportunity and a chance to get the countdown to London 2012 officially started in Warrington.”
The run through Warrington is the 13th day of the torch relay, which finishes in July 27 when the Olympic Games start in London.
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