Wandered up the top of my road on Saturday morning expecting to meet one man and a dog watching it. Got there and the world and his wife had turned up! Not much to see tbf but really nice atmosphere and good to see everyone, especially the kids, getting really up for it.
Hey M.A.M. Been a bit of a torch junkie - went a month ago, loved the vibe in the crowd and tracked it on 10 different days - rain or shine, just lots and lots of people having a right laugh.
The torch bearer's family, friends, sponsors and work/school colleagues generate extra excitement, but the crowds just seem to want to have something to be happy about, and the torch is the excuse they need!
Thankfully the cynics dont go near it in case they might change their miserable, negative pre-formed views. (no doubt they will pop up on your thread!).
Saw it in Bristol while still at Uni there and couldn't believe how many people turned up for it. I didn't even catch a glimpse of the torch so think I will go and try and actually see it in Tunbridge wells tomorrow
I'd have loved to have been around to see the torch but away when it's local. I think it's brilliant every time i see photos of anyone running with it in the wind and rain the crowds are brilliant - definitely generating excitement of what is to come.
My aunt is going to town at The Rose in Bexleyheath for next Sunday for when it goes past. As an exception, you are allowed to drink on the streets etc whilst it's going on so they've stocked up on plastic glasses, cans of booze, marquees etc. all outside the pub.
I'm helping with the stewarding on Sunday so if you see me, leave me alone as I have a duty to do!
Does Bexley have any celebrity runners?
Well there will be 90 year old war veteran, Ken Owen, or Sarah Casey, multiple World Record holder (Downs Syndrome) swimming. I've only seen a couple of celebrities, and personally prefer the 'average Joe' runners - some amazing stories behind many of the runners. Random Bexley runner details here - homeless chap who built a BMX track using free soil from Olympic building workings used by almost 200 kids already. Also involved in cycling inclusion project http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/torchbearers/torchbearers=simon-hall-5872/index.html
Wandered up the top of my road on Saturday morning expecting to meet one man and a dog watching it. Got there and the world and his wife had turned up! Not much to see tbf but really nice atmosphere and good to see everyone, especially the kids, getting really up for it.
I'm helping with the stewarding on Sunday so if you see me, leave me alone as I have a duty to do!
Does Bexley have any celebrity runners?
Well there will be 90 year old war veteran, Ken Owen, or Sarah Casey, multiple World Record holder (Downs Syndrome) swimming. I've only seen a couple of celebrities, and personally prefer the 'average Joe' runners - some amazing stories behind many of the runners. Random Bexley runner details here - homeless chap who built a BMX track using free soil from Olympic building workings used by almost 200 kids already. Also involved in cycling inclusion project http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/torchbearers/torchbearers=simon-hall-5872/index.html
My brother in Law was in Hull or (some other place of that ilk) the other week and said the torch route came past his hotel but was in a van, not being carried by runners - can that be right or was he mistaken ?
My brother in Law was in Hull or (some other place of that ilk) the other week and said the torch route came past his hotel but was in a van, not being carried by runners - can that be right or was he mistaken ?
Possible, as I think it is transported on a vehicle for some of the time outside of built up areas. The distances it covers in a day must mean it can't be carried on foot everywhere.
Wandered up the top of my road on Saturday morning expecting to meet one man and a dog watching it. Got there and the world and his wife had turned up! Not much to see tbf but really nice atmosphere and good to see everyone, especially the kids, getting really up for it.
I was a couple of hundred metres up the road and saw or heard none of that. A friend of mine was marshalling on the Friday and had to a deal with a guy who thought it was fun to drop his trousers as it came by. Deary me, there are some proper pond life out there aren't there!
personally I'm amazed and the crowds this has drawn, just to watch someone carrying a flame!
I was stunned by the crowds and the atmosphere at the first evening relay and event I went to, but realised the flame is completely incidental - the crowds were there either for their friends/colleagues or as an excuse to get out and be part of something which really is uniting the country.
Most moving day I went to was to the National Memorial Arboritum - a weekend that saw an estimated 2 million people line the streets of the Midlands
Thanks mate , kids all over it so will head down there
Leave earlier than you think and prepare the kids for it to be late. Its only really fun if you engage in banter with those around you. The motorcycle outriders will gladly pose for photos with your kids if they are waiting ahead of changeovers. Enjoy.
No worries - this is from The Eltham Portal (which sounds like a Dr Who episode that never made it to TV)
''Greenwich will be the first London Borough to welcome the Olympic Torch when it begins it's journey through the capital from the Prime Meridian Line in Greenwich.
Starting on the Meridian Line in Greenwich Park on Saturday 21 July at 7.30am, Torchbearers will carry the torch through Greenwich Park, Greenwich Town Centre, East Greenwich and Eltham Town Centre before ending the route in Woolwich Town Centre at 9.50am.
The route through Eltham is as follows:
Rochester Way - 8.37am Well Hall Road - 8.47am Eltham High Street - 8.58am Westmount Road - 9.04am Well Hall Road - 9.23am
The streets of Eltham will be decorated in bunting and we will also have live performances in Passey Place. St Mary's Community Centre will be opening their snug for teas/coffees from 9-10.30am and will also accomodate St John's Ambulance. There will also be a Coca Cola station and outriders outside of Lloyds Bank, outriders will travel ahead of the Torch Parade and hand out free bottles of coke.
We do hope that people will come into Eltham to show their support and hope to have a lot more activities and entertainment in Eltham to coincide with the event. Please keep checking the website for updates.
My brother in Law was in Hull or (some other place of that ilk) the other week and said the torch route came past his hotel but was in a van, not being carried by runners - can that be right or was he mistaken ?
Possible, as I think it is transported on a vehicle for some of the time outside of built up areas. The distances it covers in a day must mean it can't be carried on foot everywhere.
Came down the end of my road yesterday, they had all the torchbearers in the minibus with all their torches racked up ready to go on their turn, the actual torch ( the lit one! ) follows behind a procession of outriders, sponsors buses (samsung, lloyds, and a few others) but I admit the atmosphere is really good, and very good turn outs too!
Comments
Been a bit of a torch junkie - went a month ago, loved the vibe in the crowd and tracked it on 10 different days - rain or shine, just lots and lots of people having a right laugh.
The torch bearer's family, friends, sponsors and work/school colleagues generate extra excitement, but the crowds just seem to want to have something to be happy about, and the torch is the excuse they need!
Thankfully the cynics dont go near it in case they might change their miserable, negative pre-formed views. (no doubt they will pop up on your thread!).
It's been a massive success.
Should be a good atmosphere.
Does Bexley have any celebrity runners?
I've only seen a couple of celebrities, and personally prefer the 'average Joe' runners - some amazing stories behind many of the runners.
Random Bexley runner details here - homeless chap who built a BMX track using free soil from Olympic building workings used by almost 200 kids already. Also involved in cycling inclusion project
http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/torchbearers/torchbearers=simon-hall-5872/index.html
Full list of runners (and details of their stories) here
http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/torchbearers/day=2012-07-22/index.html
Route details etc here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay/day65
take a picnic and folding chairs! (and a flask if you are from Upper West)
bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9818842.Olympic_Torch_Relay__unprovoked_violence_on_flame_route_in_Pokesdown/
08:51 Bromley Hill A21
08:57 Bromley
08:57 Bromley Hill A21
08:58 London Road A21
Most moving day I went to was to the National Memorial Arboritum - a weekend that saw an estimated 2 million people line the streets of the Midlands
Its only really fun if you engage in banter with those around you.
The motorcycle outriders will gladly pose for photos with your kids if they are waiting ahead of changeovers.
Enjoy.
''Greenwich will be the first London Borough to welcome the Olympic Torch when it begins it's journey through the capital from the Prime Meridian Line in Greenwich.
Starting on the Meridian Line in Greenwich Park on Saturday 21 July at 7.30am, Torchbearers will carry the torch through Greenwich Park, Greenwich Town Centre, East Greenwich and Eltham Town Centre before ending the route in Woolwich Town Centre at 9.50am.
The route through Eltham is as follows:
Rochester Way - 8.37am
Well Hall Road - 8.47am
Eltham High Street - 8.58am
Westmount Road - 9.04am
Well Hall Road - 9.23am
The streets of Eltham will be decorated in bunting and we will also have live performances in Passey Place. St Mary's Community Centre will be opening their snug for teas/coffees from 9-10.30am and will also accomodate St John's Ambulance. There will also be a Coca Cola station and outriders outside of Lloyds Bank, outriders will travel ahead of the Torch Parade and hand out free bottles of coke.
We do hope that people will come into Eltham to show their support and hope to have a lot more activities and entertainment in Eltham to coincide with the event. Please keep checking the website for updates.
Came down the end of my road yesterday, they had all the torchbearers in the minibus with all their torches racked up ready to go on their turn, the actual torch ( the lit one! ) follows behind a procession of outriders, sponsors buses (samsung, lloyds, and a few others) but I admit the atmosphere is really good, and very good turn outs too!