Olympic Torch - Hemel Hempstead

July 8th, 2012 at 16.59

The Torch arrives in Hemel Hempstead at around 4.30pm and leaves at 6pm. Allow extra time for your journey, as there may be some delays.  

We’re expecting a good crowd and so it may be more difficult to find parking spaces in the town than usual. If you can, use public transport, walk, cycle, or car share with friends or neighbours. There will be cycle racks at West Herts College Dacorum Campus (but you'll need to bring your own lock).

Event stewards will be on hand throughout the day – they will be wearing high-vis vests. Please speak to them for first aid information, lost children, or if you have any questions about the Torch Relay.

As the Torch travels through town, there will be ‘rolling’ temporary road closures. Side roads, including car parks and driveways, will also be temporarily closed. Roads will be closed for a short period ahead of the Torch and will open again once the Torch convoy has passed. The road (Marlowes) directly outside Hemel Hempstead Civic Centre will also be closed all day. You are urged to avoid using the roads on the Torch route between 5 and 6pm. 

Please be considerate of residents’ property and businesses, and make sure not to block entrances to their property during the Torch Relay. 

Advance convoy vehicles will pass down the route ahead of the Torchbearer convoy. These vehicles will hand out promotional items to the crowds from the left, so it's best to stand on that side. 

Meet Your Torchbearers

	Name: Aidan Pimm Hometown: Hemel Hempstead Age: 42 Nomination: Aidan is like a bottle of pop, ready to exceed in all areas and an unstoppable force accepting nothing but the highest standards for his customers and his personal reputation. Aidan was allocated some exceptionally difficult accounts to turn around and recognising that unless this work was completed quickly he would have no chance in contributing to the companies turnaround. Being given only the same tools as his peers, an embryonic support network in Vodafone but an absolute belief in what needed to be done he started his work. . Very proud. Aidan is also Head of Cricket at Boxmoor Cricket Club in Hertfordshire which runs 5 adult teams and has over 100 juniors.
	Name: David Butler Hometown: Kings Langley Age: 67 Nomination: David, a triple amputee as a result of a bomb accident at the age of 11, his positive contribution to motorsport community is widespread; he is the only disabled driver worldwide to have held both an International Race and Rally license, which has truly enhanced the status of disabled people in the eyes of the able-bodied. David is a role model for all; inspiring people to create opportunities out of adversity. David resides on the Motor Sport Association Medical Panel to represent all disabled drivers wishing to participate in motorsport. As Chairman of British Motorsport Association for the Disabled for the last 15 years - David provides consultation to drivers; guidance to governing bodies and fights discrimination on a national and international level.
	Name: Ella Beaumont Hometown: Berkhampstead Age: 17 Nomination: She is part of the GB womens wheelchair basket ball team and played in the world championships she also plays wheelchair tennis for GB. in the future i hope to inspire others with disabilities and encourage them to play sport. I hope to be a role model to others who may have just been injured or recently ended up being a permanent wheelchair user. My Goal and dream for the future is to represent my country at the 2016 Olympic games in Rio playing wheelchair Basketball.
	Name: Fiona Devine Hometown: Windsor Age: 42 Nomination: Fiona is the key figure behind the Alexander Devine Children's Hospice which is a charity aiming to provide nursing care and a hospice for children in Berkshire who do not have long to live. Despite also having two young children she pours all her enegeries into fund raising activities. This small charity has already raised over £1,200,000 towards their goal. Fiona and her husband John set up the charity after their young son died from a brain tumour at the age of eight. He was ill for a long time and they realised the gap in Berkshire in the care needed for children and their families.
	Name: Gareth Baker Hometown: Aberdare Age: 21 Nomination: Gareth is a young lad, who is always involved within the community, helping others progress within athletics, he is currently working towards his level 2 coaching at his local club. Also supports other athletics outside his club given youngsters the opportunity to have a healthier lifestyle. He involves himself in local races to support local events, recently Gareth participated in the London marathon raising money for muscular dystrophy, and has helped in our Tesco community fair. Gareth is a good role model for the younger generation is very polite and well mannered, it would be great to see him participate in this world event supporting and promoting a small South Wales valley community Aberdare.
	Name: James Hull Hometown: Bedfordshire Age: 36 Nomination: I am just an ordinary man who happens to have an extraordinary story of survival...19th August 2007 was the day that changed my life irreversibly. I was piloting a light-aircraft, whilst on a training course in Florida, USA. During a solo, i sustained an engine fire during flight and was forced to take emergency action in the cock-pit. I decided to jump from the wing from 15 feet above ground, before the aircraft landed. But the damage was done. I suffered from 60% third-degree burns to my body; including hands, neck and face. I almost lost both my legs, but pioneering surgery saved me. I spent over two years in hospital. I required 50 operations to rehabilitate me. This year i completed the Virgin London marathon in 7:57 and raised over £3000 for charity. I will always go a little further to inspire!"
	Name: John Barton Hometown: Kuala Lumpur Age: 61 Nomination: John is a broadcast professional who has reported on or produced Olympic, Asian and Commonwealth Games since 1984. He is Director of Sport for the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union which represents 55 countries
	Name: Katherine Deal Hometown: London Age: 20 Nomination: Katherine has a severe visual impairment but still lives life to the full. She was a member of the UK Athletics GB Squad, succeeding in both mainstream and Paralympic athletics. Unfortunately due to illness she has been unable to continue competitive sport. 2012 should have been her chance to shine but illness has prevented her from being a part of the GB Squad. Katherine defied all the odds to win an English Schools 1500m medal, competing against the best non-disabled athletes in the UK. She gained a place at University College London to study Philosophy. Katherine has never let her disability drag her down and she freely gives her time to help others, whether it is through study support, music or loyal friendship. Katherine is inspirational because she has already achieved many things in sport, academically and in music that many able-bodied people have been unable to achieve.
	Name: Lesley Birchall Hometown: Middlewich Age: 50 Nomination: Lesley is the community champion at Middlewich Store. I have never know anyone who works relentlessly to raise money for the charity of the year, by doing this she organises lots of events to include the community, especially the elderly by organising bingo nights for them, doing their shopping whilst in store, she gets lots of praise from the local schools for helping them with projects and has recently received a values award in relation to her dedication to football skills for schools by providing drinks and fruit and attending the events. The biggest achievement I believe is the work Lesley does with the local soup kitchen which enables people to have a lunch time meal for a donation and the opportunity to meet others.
	Name: Mandy Jinkerson Hometown: Royston Age: 46 Nomination: She is a very popular member of staff and nothing is too much trouble for her. Mandy is a member of the local runners club and has taken part in the London Marathon raising large amounts for cancer. She has also run in other marathons. I think Mandy deserves recognition for all her hard work and she would be overwhelmed if she was chosen.
	Name: Mark James Hometown: Middlesborough Age: 51 Nomination: He has raised money for local charitites by running several half marathons including the great north run. He has received a community champions certificate for outstanding contribution to the community. Above all that, he is a very reliable and selfless person. He is a first aider and a knowledgeable one at that and would do anything for anyone. I couldnt think of anyone better, or would appreciate it as much as Mark.
	Name: Patrick Killian Hometown: Durham Age: 63 Nomination: He runs marathons for charity i dont know how much he has raised but has been running for charity for the past 8 years that i have known him most people on nightshift sponser him he even helps out at our north east race for life sponsering others he arranged a dragon boat race enlisting the assistance of other Tesco employees men & women all who took part secured sponsership for a deserving cause i nominated him for this fantastic opportunity for the hours he has spent training, participating & encouraging others to give up their spare time to help worthwhile causes i asked him if he would like the opportunity to be an Olympic torch bearer he said he would but he has no idea that i have nominated him.
	Name: Peter Statham Hometown: High Wycombe Age: 60 Nomination: The reason for this is that Peter has a voluntarily run a junior badminton club (Dragons Juniors based at Wycombe Badminton Centre) for almost 20 years. He started when my brother and I were playing at the club, but has continued ever since we left over 10 years ago. He has given up over 30 Sunday mornings a year for that time. Often leading the sessions and always playing an active role in the coaching as well completing all the administration tasks at other times. This has given many children the opportunity to actively participate in badminton and develop their skills.
	Name: Sharon De Silva Hometown: Saltcoats Age: 23 Nomination: Works closely on an ongoing basis with Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, National Deaf Childrens Society, Guide Dogs Trust, Yorkhill Childrens Hospital - Charity Events organised to fund raise in stores / visits regularly / events organiser for Ladies Night at Hospice / Childrens radio Station at Yorkhill Hospital / Male Charity Callender with Colleagues for Charity of the Year. Store beating annual charity Target of £1000 - at half year raised £1600 through Sharon's tenacity and popularity. Sharon has raised awareness of the Community Champ in all group1 stores through meetings and conference calls all stores raising their game
	Name: Sue Lloyd Hometown: Gibraltar Age: 42 Nomination: Sue showed great determination in her training for the event and her fundraising efforts. Sue has regularly taken part in extreme charity fundraising challenges but has not been recognised for them, she would be a worthy winner of this award in order to recognise her efforts. Having been based in Gibraltar I know a number of people who have family members or partners in the army. This makes support of this charity more meaningful for me. It is a great charity that spends 100% of the money raised in supporting those families and servicemen/women who have been affected by war. It is great to know that there are people like Sue who are prepared to undertake gruelling challenges such as this one in order to raise funds to support the cause.
	Name: Tamsin Addison Hometown: High Wycombe Age: 39 Nomination: Meeting her in her role as a Director at Virgin Media, you'd never know Tamsin had gone through the ordeal of bone cancer and the long and painful reconstruction of her right arm ? she works hard to make sure her disability is not apparent. But Tamsin has boldly and bravely started to share her story ? and her dreams of representing Team GB in the 2012 Paralympics Dressage competition ? with the whole of our business, through a regular blog. Through her blog, Tamsin is gaining huge support and generating lots of interest around the Paralympics.
	Name: Rachel Gower Hometown: Hemel Hempstead Age: 12 Nomination:

View Hemel Hempstead Torch Route in a larger map