Olympic Torch - Letchworth GC

July 8th, 2012 at 11.20

Where can we park?
All NHDC car parks will be available, and free of charge, on the day of the relay; These include the multi-storey car park to the rear of Gernon road/Rowlands Way, Letchworth, which will open at 0800 hours for those wishing to arrive early. In addition, there are a number of other car parks in the town, which are owned and managed by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation. The car park at the Spirella building can hold approximately 500 vehicles and again, is close to the Olympic torch procession route. Car parking at The Wynd in Openshaw Way (off Station Road) is also available. Please do not be tempted to park on the route itself, as you will be asked to remove your vehicle, or if you are not present, instructions could be given to tow it away to retain a clear, safe route.

What about disabled parking?
Disabled parking will remain available at

· the rear of Eastcheap, accessed via the Broadway
· in Rowland Way multi storey, with level access to the shopping centre
· in Hillshott
· to the rear of the Wynd
· at Spirella
· the station car park
· Morrisons car park

Some on street parking may be available at the Arena Parade, to the rear of the town hall, but please note that Eastcheap will be closed completely from the junction with Arena Parade from 0700 hours, and across the entrance to Arena Parade completely for up to 15 minutes to allow the procession to pass. Whilst it is generally known that Blue Badge holders can park on double yellow lines when using their valid badge, we would please ask that the route itself, denoted on the map (link above) remain clear of all vehicles to enable safe access and the best opportunity for all, including disabled people, to view the procession.

Bikes
Places for cycle parking are available at the railway station within easy walking distance of the route.

What about public transport?
Trains, buses and taxis will be operating to standard Sunday timetables, but you should still check with operators to ensure that services to and from your area will be running normally that day, especially if you have a longer journey than usual. There may be occasion, once the torch has passed through an area, that buses will be a few minutes late arriving, having got caught and temporarily delayed behind the slow moving procession. Please be patient – it will not be the driver’s fault!

What about toilets?
All public toilets will be open on the day of the procession, and additionally of course there are additional toilets available for those using local coffee and other refreshment shops.

Where will be the best place to stand?
The torch procession is likely to attract a considerable number of people, particularly as it is on a Sunday morning, so we would ask people to arrive in plenty of time and to select their own area in which to stand. We cannot recommend places to stand as all the route will provide an opportunity to see the torch, no one place is better than any other.

Are there going to be special places for disabled people to sit/stand?
No. The route will be policed and marshalled, but totally open and free of railings on its passage through Letchworth, so it would be inappropriate and in itself discriminatory to provide an area surrounded by barriers, in which disabled people only could be seated. We are also concerned that it takes away the element of free choice which the general population have in attending a public, open event of this type. All areas of the route are quite level and generally accessible for wheelchair users.

Meet Your Torchbearers

	Name: Celia Watson Hometown: Hitchin Age: 54 Nomination: Celia is a runner rock climber and mountaineer and has inspired many friends to try new adventurous activities enriching their lives.I intend to continue to encourage friends to challenge themselves by trying out new experiences particularly activities that will lead them into a more active outdoor lifestyle. Trying out a potentially frightening activity like rock climbing often leads to a real feeling of achievement that increases self confidence in all areas of someone's life. Friends have told me that the fact that I encouraged them to try an adventurous sport like rock climbing or ghyll scrambling has given them the courage to try other activities such as paragliding sailing or hill walking.
	Name: Charlotte Wharton Hometown: Sandy Age: 16 Nomination: Charlotte Wharton is 16 years old and is a Water Skier and has been part of the BritishWater Ski Team for the past five years. She competes in all three disciplines Tricks, Slalom and Jump, she currently holds the British under 12 Slalom, under 14 and under 17 Jump and previously the under 10 trick records. She is one of the most dedicated athletes I know, training consistantly throughout the Winter and Summer both in the UK and abroad, like other teenage atheletes she has to balance training and her School work having just completed for GCSE's. She would love to represent her Country in the Olympics, but unfortunately Water Skiing is not an Olympic Sport so no matter how dedicated she is and how hard she trains she will never have the opportunity of being part of such a wonderful event.
	Name: Claire Yeo Hometown: Stanstead Abbotts Age: 34 Nomination: My big sister has always been an inspiration to me, always hardworking and motivated, but in the past three years she has surpassed even her own high standards... In autumn 2008 our wonderful Mum became very ill with a brain tumour and sadly passed away in May 2009. Throughout Mum's illness and after her death, Claire has been the rock of our family, supporting us practically and emotionally every step of the way, arranging care and treatment for Mum, keeping all of the family together and guiding us all through the nightmare to somehow survive on the other side. She has now become fully involved in the care of our older disabled sister Jane, taking on Mum's role of dealing with her ups and downs, which is never an easy task! Throughout all of this, she has also recently got married and brought a gorgeous baby boy into the world, becoming a fantastic mum herself.
	Name: James Bentall Hometown: Hatfield Age: 35 Nomination:  James is the heart and soul of our village, who makes everyone smile and works every minute to make everything he touches shine. Above all, he is known for his youth work , which has enriched a whole generation of local youngsters. After many years as a scout leader, he has recently been the driving force in starting a local youthclub. After just a year it has 120 members and holds weekly meeting, regular outings, camps and community service. He brings out the best in every child he works with - he is kind and funny and produces an unenending supply of exciting activities, but at the same time he always demands the best of every child, always pushes them to achieve a little more, respect others, live up to the highest expectations.
	Name: Janet Green Hometown: Biggleswade Age: 73 Nomination: As a PE teacher and qualified B.A.G.A coach in mainstream and schools for the deaf Janet coached pupils to success in Athletics competitions both at County and All England level. Her tireless enthusiasm encouraged even pupils who believed they had no talent for sport to succeed. In her own time she coached at the local stadium, choreographed gym displays for local events and ran her own Gym Club at a junior school, attended by Alisha Dixon. After retiring, She became an active member of the WI and is involved at the heart of her local community helping out with the meals on wheels service during heavy snowfalls. For the past 11 years she has mentored pupils at the Ivel Valley school.
	Name: John Harris Hometown: Baldock Age: 49 Nomination: Through coaching sport in schools and clubs i want to have a positive impact on the future of children and for them to be the best they can.Being involved in sport/education for 8 years voluntarily and work i have seen how sport has a positive impact on the behaviour of young people. As I write young people are on the streets causing significant damage to other people's lives. I dream that all young people have access to quality out of schools provision not only in sport but other activities that will take them away from crime and also from poor lifestyles (inactivity in front of computers/tv and unhealthy diets). I have achieved a number of qualifications in sport to provide young people with the best coaching I can. I have run 7 Marathons raising over £5000 for charities to give others a chance- Dreams Come True.I hope being a torchbearer will inspire many young people.
	Name: Philip Goodall Hometown: Buntingford Age: 27 Nomination: An amazing, inspirational young man. Has overcome severe learning difficulties, acute dyspraxia and being unable to speak to live life to the full: Keen athlete - regularly takes part in Special Olympics, has won numerous medals. Trains each week in the gym, swims in galas and competitions and attends a fitness club. Caring and compassionate - moved by the plight of orphans in Romania to organise a sponsored swim raising £1,000 for the Firm Foundation charity`s hospital in Brasov. Community minded - a section helper in the 1st Braughing cubs since 2006, maracas player in the Scout Band and valued member of his local church.
	Name: Sue Miller Hometown: Royston Age: 70 Nomination: This Lady has over a long period of time organised and run our Local History Society, our Orwell Archive Group and has also persuaded local Government to transfer to our Village an area of land called Chapel Orchard . This green area is not only a tranquil space for a stroll or a place to sit and relax but is also a wildlife area. Without her efforts this would have become just another housing estate. Sue organises various events for the Village including picnics, treasure and Easter Egg hunts in Chapel Orchard and also arranges for its upkeep by groups of volunteers. A Christmas Tree and lighting ceremony every Christmas along with mulled wine, mince pies and carol singing is also on the list.
	Name: Tony Tillbrooke Hometown: Cambridgeshire Age: 72 Nomination: My dad, is one of the seventeen ""Everpresent"" who have run every single London Marathon. This is a testament to his determination because he has suffered many physical setbacks, including a terrible skiing accident four months before the 1989 event, which he ran with the addition of several steel screws to his leg. In 1986 he was involved in a horrific car crash and his legs appeared completely crushed to all around including the firemen attempting to rescue him. He has no memory of the event and awoke days later in hospital to an amazing yet ridiculous account of his argument his rescuers. As they approached the car with a chainsaw and the intention of amputating his legs to rush him to hospital, he awoke and in a calm stern voice told them on no account where they to remove any limb but instead to cut the car away from him. He protested so much that they agreed and amazingly his legs were fine!

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