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Olympic torch visits Games 'birthplace' Much Wenlock Olympic torch carried by Afghanistan war veteran
(about 1 hour later)
The importance of the href="http://www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk/olympian-games/index.shtml" >Wenlock Olympian Games, a forerunner to the modern Olympics, is being marked on day 12 of the torch relay from Chester to Stoke. Injured Afghanistan war veteran Ricky Furgusson carried the Olympic flame through Broseley on day 12 of the torch relay from Chester to Stoke-on-Trent.
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 Telford-born 26-year-old lost both his legs, left eye and fingers from both hands when he was injured on active service.
And one of the London 2012 official mascots is named Wenlock in recognition of its historic significance. He received huge support from the crowd, which included members of the 4th battalion, the Rifles.
The soldiers nodded their heads and saluted him as a mark of respect.
Before that, in the last stop before lunch, the torch arrived in Much Wenlock - the home of the Wenlock Olympian Games, which was a forerunner to the modern Olympics.
The Games were founded in 1850 by Dr William Penny Brookes, who lived in the Shropshire town of Much Wenlock.
One of the London 2012 official mascots is named Wenlock in recognition of its historic significance.
Later, 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?"
Rapturous welcomeRapturous welcome
The Olympic flame received a rapturous welcome as it was carried into Much Wenlock shortly after 13:00.The Olympic flame received a rapturous welcome as it was carried into Much Wenlock shortly after 13:00.
People stood on rubbish bins and leaned out of the windows at the Victorian and Georgian houses overlooking the street as the torch approached the house of Dr Penny Brookes, who wanted to see his vision for sporting competition on a grander stage.People stood on rubbish bins and leaned out of the windows at the Victorian and Georgian houses overlooking the street as the torch approached the house of Dr Penny Brookes, who wanted to see his vision for sporting competition on a grander stage.
He 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.He 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.
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 are: Among the torchbearers in Much Wenlock were:
  • Olympic bronze-medal winning archer Alison Williamson, who is set to compete for Team GB for the sixth time later this summer,
  • 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
  • Olympic bronze medal-winning archer Alison Williamson, who is set to compete for Team GB for the sixth time later this summer,
  • 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 Ironbridge in mid-afternoon and travel across the 230-year-old bridge the area is named after, 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 world's first iron 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 day began in Chester with the first torchbearer, 16-year-old badminton prospect Jenny Moore, who set off at 06:56 BST.The day began in Chester with the first torchbearer, 16-year-old badminton prospect Jenny Moore, who set off at 06:56 BST.
In all, 119 people will carry the Olympic flame during the 133-mile journey to its overnight stop.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.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 then visited Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and was 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 travelled through border towns including Oswestry and Welshpool before turning east towards Shrewsbury, where Shropshire Council tweeted that "an incredible 40,000 people" were estimated to have cheered the torch on.The relay travelled through border towns including Oswestry and Welshpool before turning east towards Shrewsbury, where Shropshire Council tweeted that "an incredible 40,000 people" were estimated to have cheered the torch on.
Jackson withdrawalJackson withdrawal
Later on Wednesday, the relay will progress through Stafford and Stoke where Tony Pulis, manager of the city's Premier League football club, will carry the torch as it leaves the Potteries Museum.Later on Wednesday, the relay will progress through Stafford and 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.He is taking time off from the On Yer Bike celebrity challenge from John O'Groats to Land's End to carry the torch.
He 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 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."
Wednesday evening's 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.Wednesday evening's 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.