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Olympic torch visits Games 'birthplace' Much Wenlock Olympic torch visits Games 'birthplace' Much Wenlock
(about 1 hour later)
The importance of the Wenlock Olympian Games, a forerunner to the modern Olympics, will be marked on day 12 of the torch relay from Chester to Stoke. The importance of the Wenlock Olympian Games, a forerunner to the modern Olympics, is being marked on day 12 of the torch relay from Chester to Stoke.
The Games were founded in 1850 by Dr William Penny Brookes, who lived in the Shropshire town of Much Wenlock, which is one of Wednesday's stops.The Games were founded in 1850 by Dr William Penny Brookes, who lived in the Shropshire town of Much Wenlock, which is one of Wednesday's stops.
And one of the London 2012 official mascots is named Wenlock in recognition of its historic significance.And one of the London 2012 official mascots is named Wenlock in recognition of its historic significance.
Later the 1988 GB hockey gold medallist Imran Sherwani will carry the flame. Later, 1988 GB hockey gold medallist Imran Sherwani will carry the flame.
Sherwani, one of only two Olympic gold medallists from Stoke, scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Germany in the final in Seoul.Sherwani, one of only two Olympic gold medallists from Stoke, scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Germany in the final in Seoul.
It was a performance which prompted one of the most famous pieces of BBC commentary as Barry Davies asked the question: "Where, oh, where were the Germans? And frankly, who cares?"It was a performance which prompted one of the most famous pieces of BBC commentary as Barry Davies asked the question: "Where, oh, where were the Germans? And frankly, who cares?"
The day began in Chester with the first torchbearer, 16-year-old badminton prospect Jenny Moore, who set off at 06:56 BST, and in all, 119 people will carry the Olympic flame during the 133-mile journey to its overnight stop. The day began in Chester with the first torchbearer, 16-year-old badminton prospect Jenny Moore, who set off at 06:56 BST.
The torch then headed back into Wales, arriving in Wrexham at 07:28. First to take up the flame was John Atkinson of the British Olympic Association. In all, 119 people will carry the Olympic flame during the 133-mile journey to its overnight stop.
The torch then headed back into Wales, where John Atkinson of the British Olympic Association carried the flame in Wrexham.
Later, 82-year-old Ronald Price, from Llandrillo, who still visits a gym every week and delivers Meals on Wheels to the elderly, took the flame to the town's Guildhall.Later, 82-year-old Ronald Price, from Llandrillo, who still visits a gym every week and delivers Meals on Wheels to the elderly, took the flame to the town's Guildhall.
Reflecting on the honour, Mr Price quipped that he "felt 20 again".Reflecting on the honour, Mr Price quipped that he "felt 20 again".
Hundreds of people had gathered at Llwyn Isaf, the open space next to the Guildhall, to see torch arrive.Hundreds of people had gathered at Llwyn Isaf, the open space next to the Guildhall, to see torch arrive.
The torch will next visit Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and placed on a boat for a trip along the Llangollen Canal. The torch then visited Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and was placed on a boat for a trip along the Llangollen Canal.
The relay will then progress through border towns, including Oswestry and Welshpool, before turning east towards Shrewsbury and arriving in Much Wenlock at 13:14. The relay is currently progressing through border towns including Oswestry and Welshpool before turning east towards Shrewsbury. It is due to arrive in Much Wenlock shortly after 13:00.
Dr Penny Brookes wanted to see his vision for sporting competition on a grander stage and invited Baron Pierre de Coubertin to visit the Wenlock Games in 1890.Dr Penny Brookes wanted to see his vision for sporting competition on a grander stage and invited Baron Pierre de Coubertin to visit the Wenlock Games in 1890.
Four years later, the Baron founded the International Olympic Congress and in 1896, the first summer Olympics took place in Athens. Four years later, the baron founded the International Olympic Congress and in 1896, the first summer Olympics took place in Athens.
The Wenlock Games still take place each July at seven locations across Shropshire, with the town remaining as the focal point.The Wenlock Games still take place each July at seven locations across Shropshire, with the town remaining as the focal point.
Among the torchbearers in Much Wenlock will be Olympic bronze-medal winning archer Alison Williamson, who is set to compete for Team GB for the sixth time later this summer, and 83-year-old Ron Miles, who was born and bred in the county, served in the army and later became one of the first volunteer helpers at the Ironbridge Gorge museum near Telford, one of the later points along the route. Among the torchbearers in Much Wenlock will be Olympic bronze-medal winning archer Alison Williamson, who is set to compete for Team GB for the sixth time later this summer, and 83-year-old Ron Miles, who was born and bred in the county, served in the army and later became one of the first volunteer helpers at the Ironbridge Gorge museum near Telford, one of the later points along the route.
The torch will arrive at the 230-year-old cast iron bridge, which has been decorated with special Olympic banners, in mid-afternoon to be greeted by a special peel of bells from nearby St Luke's church.The torch will arrive at the 230-year-old cast iron bridge, which has been decorated with special Olympic banners, in mid-afternoon to be greeted by a special peel of bells from nearby St Luke's church.
Thousands of people are expected to watch the flame's journey across the bridge, carried by Lydon Flavell, 37, from Wolverhampton, with a number of them positioned on a flotilla of boats on the River Severn, which flows underneath.Thousands of people are expected to watch the flame's journey across the bridge, carried by Lydon Flavell, 37, from Wolverhampton, with a number of them positioned on a flotilla of boats on the River Severn, which flows underneath.
The relay will then progress through Stafford and on to Stoke where Tony Pulis, manager of the city's Premier League football club, will carry the torch as it leaves the Potteries Museum.The relay will then progress through Stafford and on to Stoke where Tony Pulis, manager of the city's Premier League football club, will carry the torch as it leaves the Potteries Museum.
Pulis was drafted in as a substitute when 800m runner Emma Jackson withdrew after being invited to compete in Wednesday's Diamond League athletics meeting in Rome.Pulis was drafted in as a substitute when 800m runner Emma Jackson withdrew after being invited to compete in Wednesday's Diamond League athletics meeting in Rome.
He is taking time off from the On Yer Bike celebrity challenge from John O'Groats to Land's End to carry the torch and said: "I am extremely honoured to be given the privilege of representing Stoke-on-Trent and to be among those offered this most prestigious of opportunities.He is taking time off from the On Yer Bike celebrity challenge from John O'Groats to Land's End to carry the torch and said: "I am extremely honoured to be given the privilege of representing Stoke-on-Trent and to be among those offered this most prestigious of opportunities.
"This is an historic event for the whole of Britain and it is an immensely proud feeling to be able to say that you are carrying the Olympic torch as part of that build-up.""This is an historic event for the whole of Britain and it is an immensely proud feeling to be able to say that you are carrying the Olympic torch as part of that build-up."
The evening celebration in Stoke's Hanley Park includes performances from rock band Kids In Glass Houses and dance act Twist & Pulse, who will both be playing at a relay concert for the second successive night.The evening celebration in Stoke's Hanley Park includes performances from rock band Kids In Glass Houses and dance act Twist & Pulse, who will both be playing at a relay concert for the second successive night.
A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame on its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey around the UK to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on 27 July.A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame on its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey around the UK to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on 27 July.