Hambleton and Richmondshire residents
are being urged to take to the streets to welcome the Olympic torch
as it travels through the districts next June.
The flame will journey through Thirsk,
Northallerton, Bedale, Aysgarth, Leyburn and Richmond on June 20 –
as part of its 8,000 mile journey around the UK.
The two district councils have already begun
drawing up plans to celebrate the torch passing through the area –
and will work with local organisations and community groups to give
it a momentus trip through North Yorkshire.
Local people will be encouraged to line the
streets as the torch passes by and there will be demonstrations of
sporting events at each venue. Local
organisations will be invited to join a parade to follow the torch
on its journey and the RAF and Army are in discussions on how they
can get involved.
Meetings in each venue will be held before the
end of the year when community groups, parish councils and sports
organisations will be invited to suggest celebratory ideas.
And North Yorkshire Sport, the community
sports partnership, is working with the authorities to bring sports
event to each location – for local people to both watch and take
part in.
The six towns are amongst more than 1,000
villages, towns and cities along the flame route announced by the
London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
(LOCOG) today (Monday).
It will be carried around the country by a
team of torchbearers on a route designed to take it within an
hour’s journey of 95% of the population.
“Bringing the torch to our area gives our
residents and members a unique chance to see the Olympic Flame and
witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay,” said Chief
Executive for Hambleton and Richmondshire District Councils, Peter
Simpson.
“We are planning community celebrations across
the two districts –to share in the Olympic spirit and mark the
countdown to the start of the Games. And we hope
it will leave a lasting legacy inspiring people young and old to
take part in sport and recognise the benefits they can get from
it.
“This is going to be an exciting day for
Hambleton and Richmondshire – we hope people embrace the occasion
and welcome not just the iconic torch but the local torchbearers
who will see it safely through the districts.”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, added:: ‘We are
thrilled to confirm that Thirsk, Northallerton, Bedale, Aysgarth,
Leyburn and Richmond will act as host locations for the Olympic
Flame. This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage
people across Hambleton and Richmondshire 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.”
November 7, 2011