What a fabulous day - Olympic Torch Fun

Multi-Faith Partnership collage put together by children on the day

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Veenas Restaurant held a multi-faith partnership fun day in order to prepare for the Olympic Torch passing through Heywood.

Events included arts and crafts, dance and musical performances, which kept both children and adults busy all day. Ann Jones, who helped organise the event said: “What a fabulous day! We were nervous in case people were put off by the weather, but the day turned out to be a huge success.”

The Olympic Torch Streamers were a huge hit. Parents and children created  torches to wave when the Olympic Flame came by.

The giant St George cross bearing the words “Heywood Welcomes Olympic Flame” attracted attention and youngsters carefully and meticulously added gold and sequins to decorate the lettering. A collage, symbolising that we are “stronger together” by using a picture of a mosque and a church was completed by the children during the day as well.

The events grand opening treated audiences to a performance by Blackley Band. At one point, an extra percussionist joined them on the table drums in the guise of Mohammed Sarwar, from Multicultural Arts. .

Falinge Hub volunteers had competitions on the dance mats in full swing.

Just Poets were also out and about, talking to people and asking them to answers three questions about the Olympics and about Heywood. The answers are to be turned into a Big Poem, to go in Heywood Library.

The weather situation had been a worry for organisersl, luckily there was only one short torrential downpour.

Councillor Peter Rush, MC for the afternoon, announced how much time there was remaining before the torch arrived. 

Outside, rows upon rows of people lined the streets, as far as the eye could see. Police outriders and buses worked together to get the crowds waving and cheering for the precession. The torch appeared from York Street and headed in the direction of St Luke’s. The streets were swarming full of people, peering and stretching in order to catch a glimpse of the Torch Bearer.

The Olympic Torch passed through Heywood. It was a tangible, electric, once in a lifetime event which everyone loved.