Olympic flame to visit Rochdale and Heywood

Chair of Link4Life Brian Ashworth (left), Council Leader Colin Lambert (centre) local school children and representatives from nearby sports clubs are delighted the London 2012 Olympic Torch will visit the borough during its journey next year.

Rochdale and Heywood are two of over 1,000 villages, towns and cities through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

Saturday 23 June 2012 will be the all important day for residents in the two townships.
Colin Lambert, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: It's a great honour for our borough to work with London and help carry the Olympic spirit of friendship and co-operation.

“The torch relay passing through Rochdale couldn’t be more appropriate in 2012 and I am sure this event will really capture the imagination of everyone.”

Heading for an evening celebration event in Manchester, the Torch Relay will set off from Lytham St Anne’s, having been welcomed in Blackpool the night before. As it enters the region it will travel through Rawtenstall, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury, ending its journey that day in Manchester City Centre.

Having already booked her place for London 2012, local Olympic swimming hero, and twice World Champion, Keri-Anne Payne also welcomed the news.

She said: “Through the Torch Relay the Olympic Flame will reach communities up and down the country and I’m very proud that we have been chosen to welcome it here in Rochdale, and particularly in my home town of Heywood."

Chair of Link4Life Brian Ashworth, said: “Link4Life will be working with clubs, schools and volunteers to organise a boroughwide programme of ‘Big Games’ throughout the summer that will add to the celebrations.”

Sebastian Coe, Chairman of The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games  (LOCOG), said: “We are thrilled to confirm that the borough of Rochdale will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK.”

The 70 day Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.

In announcing the villages, towns and cities LOCOG has realised the aspiration of taking the Olympic Flame to within an hour’s journey time of 95 per cent of the population. In fact, over 95 per cent of the population will be within just 10 miles of the Olympic Flame next summer. The street by street detail of the route will be confirmed next year.

On the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, it is LOCOG’s intention that the Olympic Flame will travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community. In December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.