Olympic Torch Heading To Kent

18 May 2011, 08:34 | Updated: 18 May 2011, 09:03

The Olympic Torch is coming to Dover and Maidstone as part of its journey around the UK before heading to the 2012 Olympic Games.

As part of the Olympic Torch Relay, an Evening Celebration event will be held in Dover on Wednesday 18 July 2012 and Maidstone on Thursday 19th July 2012.

 The event is aimed at thanking the community, and showcasing the many historic and cultural attractions of the area.

Dover and Maidstone are some of the 66 Evening Celebration locations across the UK confirmed today by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). 

The evening events will offer thousands of people the opportunity to come together and get involved in celebrations and share in the Olympic spirit. As part of the events LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, will stage exciting entertainment shows where a cauldron will be lit from the Olympic Flame, marking the end of the day’s proceedings.

The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK from Greece on Friday 18 May 2012 and the 70 day Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of the 19 May 2012.  On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame is expected to travel an estimated 8,000 miles across the UK, giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to their doorstep. The Olympic Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council says:

“This is headline news for Dover and the whole area, and follows a sustained campaign and hard work by a range of community partners. This is a major opportunity to showcase Dover in a national and international arena, and follows the eyes of the world turning to the district for the Open Golf Championship this year. This will provide an important economic boost, as well as a chance for community celebrations, and is a great opportunity to help spread the Olympic spirit across the area.” 

It will then travel on to Maidstone

The Olympic Flame will be visiting the borough on its journey around the UK with a cauldron lighting celebration showcasing the County Town’s culture and heritage at Leeds Castle,  at the end of the day on Thursday, July 19, 2012.

Leader of Maidstone Council Chris Garland says:

“This is great news for the borough and well deserved.  The Olympic Games are all about taking part and this is a chance for us to celebrate and be part of the Olympics. I am hoping that some of our Maidstone’s Dream athletes will not only take part but maybe bring home a medal to Maidstone.  Maidstone people will give the Flame a tremendous welcome”

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG says:

"We are thrilled that Maidstone and Dover District Councils has agreed to host the Olympic Flame on its journey right across the UK.

The Olympic Flame will shine a light right across Dover and Maidstone, celebrating the culture and heritage of the area. We have no doubt that the welcome they will provide will demonstrate how the spirit of the Olympic Games is reaching out across the UK and excitement builds as the start of the 2012 Games draws closer."