Olympic Torch Comes To Sussex and Surrey
18 May 2012, 14:26
The Olympic Torch will overnight in Brighton and Hove on the 16th July next year and Hastings on the 17th.
Hosting the torch is seen as a big honour as locations have been chosen to represent iconic aspects of Britain.
Brighton and Hove's council's director for communities David Murray says
" The Torch Relay is being planned to shine a light on the best of the UK - from the great cities to places of outstanding natural beauty, plus landmarks representing British sport and culture. So it's a massive honour for the city to be regarded in that way. It will showcase Brighton & Hove to the UK and the world, hopefully bringing benefits to the local economy. It also gives local people a chance to get directly involved in the Games."
The PROBIZ County Ground has been chosen to host the official Olympic Torch Relay celebration as it passes through Brighton & Hove on July 16.
An audience of 10,000 people is expected at the evening event, which includes live music, dance and cultural performances before the Olympic Flame gets carried on to the stage to light a cauldron as the finale of the evening.
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Hastings has welcomed the announcement that it is to be an overnight stop for the Olympic Torch Relay next year.
Council leader Jeremy Birch said :- "This is another piece of good news for Hastings. I would like to pay particular tribute to John Hodges and the Hastings Chamber of Commerce who lobbied hard for this; they have recognised the potential of the Olympics from the start."
The celebration on the Stade Open Space in the Hastings Old Town will enable local residents to enjoy a variety of entertainment staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung - with the support of Hastings Borough Council.
Included in the evening programme will be two, ten-minute slots of locally-programmed entertainment during the evening celebration. This will include a dance routine celebrating Hastings' history led by Helenswood School, and a community choir led by Hastings Philharmonic Choir.
The three Presenting Partners will also each provide 20 minutes of exciting and stimulating entertainment for the event. This will include Coca-Cola showcasing exciting up-and-coming live music acts, Lloyds TSB bringing stunning acrobatic performances to the site and Samsung staging dance performances.
Prior to and during the show, the audience will have the opportunity participate in a number of activities courtesy of Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. These include having your photograph taken with the London 2012 Torch and other Olympic-related activities.
Towards the end of the two-hour show, the last Torchbearer of the day in Hastings will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the event which will enable the Olympic Flame to be seen by the audience.
The Route in full in Sussex and Surrey
Monday July 16th
Rogate
Midhurst
Easebourne
Tillington
Petworth
Duncton
Chichester
North Bersted
South Bersted
Bognor Regis
Woodgate
Westergate
Arundel
Worthing
Lancing
West Blatchington
Tuesday 17 July
Brighton & Hove (Royal Pavilion)
Crawley
Copthorne
Felbridge
East Grinstead
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Crowborough
Lewes
Eastbourne
Pevensey Bay
Pevensey
Bexhill-on-Sea
St Leonards-on-Sea
Thursday 19 July
Godstone
Bletchingley
Redhill
Reigate
Dorking
Shere
Godalming
Guildford (for evening celebration)