South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 22/03/2012

The Torch returns briefly to South Gloucestershire at 9.05am the following morning, May 23, on day 5 of the Relay when it is carried along Southmead Road from BAWA to the junction with Charborough Road

Torchbearer Daniel Munden, from Bristol, will carry the Olympic Flame along one stretch of the route through South Gloucestershire when he takes part in the relay during its 70-day national tour. Residents are encouraged to line the streets and cheer Daniel on at this exciting event which helps to put the area on the map.

Arriving at 5.00pm in Bitton, the convoy will travel along the Bath Road A431 (High Street) from the Aubrey Meads lay-by, passing (on the left hand side) The Meadows Primary School, Bitton Football Club and crossing the Cherry Gardens roundabout before travelling under the Avon Valley railway bridge. Avon Valley Railway plan to welcome the Olympic Torch with the aid of a traditional British steam locomotive, built by Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns at their Newcastle works in 1944.

Crossing the Keynsham Road roundabout, the Torch will carry on down Willsbridge Hill into Longwell Green passing Willsbridge Mill, then over the roundabout onto Stonehill and Hanham High Street where it is hoped Maypole dancers will be among the cheering crowds. The convoy will leave our district around 6.00pm and continue its journey into Bristol.

A detailed map of the route will be available on South Gloucestershire Council’s website at www.southglos.gov.uk/2012olympictorch and www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay

Leader of the Council, Cllr John Calway, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for our residents and those in the surrounding communities to see the Olympic Flame and witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay. By passing through our high streets and alongside local shops, it really does bring the route to life and we are encouraging local residents to get involved by decorating their houses and coming out to welcome Daniel and the other Torchbearers. This will be an historic day to treasure for individuals, young and old.”

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, added: “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 South Gloucestershire’s moment to shine.”

An average of 115 Torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

LOCOG has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors in each Nation and Region of the UK to devise the route and is taking the Olympic Flame to within ten miles of over 95 per cent of the population.

Torchbearer case study

One of South Gloucestershire’s official Torchbearers, Daniel, is an officer in the fire service and regularly plays volleyball and captains the UK fire service volleyball team. He is a keen cyclist and kayaker. He also has a taste for adventure and in the last few years he has walked to the magnetic north pole in the polar race, ridden a motor scooter from John O’Groats to Tarifa in Spain and climbed Kilimanjaro in full fire kit. All to raise money for Children in Need. This year he has helped to train the latest group of walkers in the polar race and spent three weeks in the arctic acting as quarter master, trainer and check point marshal. He is interested in all sports and is also a dedicated father and husband to his family. He is an outstanding character and a great example to young people. He is very single minded and determined in the face of a goal or challenge. A good example of this would be one he had to raise £19,000 in sponsorship to go on the 2007 polar race; he says that was the hardest challenge of all. However he did it and raised money for children in need too. He would be a very fitting person to carry the torch.

The majority of schools in South Gloucestershire have signed up to Get Set (london2012.com/getset), the official London 2012 education programme, giving them access to free learning resources linked to the Olympic Games. Although the Olympic Flame will arrive after the school day has finished, hundreds of school children are expected to line the route and make their voices heard cheering on their local Torchbearers in Flame hats and shakers. Several schools have sports days and other special events planned to mark this auspicious occasion.

South Gloucestershire Council is working with local community planning groups and Avon & Somerset Police to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all and will be posting useful information on its website at www.southglos.gov.uk/2012olympictorch in the weeks leading up to the relay.