Looking Forward To An Exciting Year Ahead - London 2012 Olympic
Torch Relay and Evening Celebration
Dover District is looking
forward to an exciting year - with the Olympic Torch Relay coming
to Dover for a major Evening Celebration on Dover Seafront on
Wednesday 18 July, as well as the Relay going to Deal, Sholden and
Sandwich on Thursday 19 July.
Communities are invited to get involved, and representatives
from Dover District Council and Dover Town Council met today to
look forward to the London 2012 Olympic Torch coming to Dover, to
confirm the location of the Evening Celebration, and to continue to
invite communities to join in with the welcome.
The Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebration will offer people
from across the area the opportunity to mark the Olympic Flame’s
arrival and celebrate and share in the Olympic Spirit, with
exciting family entertainment and a range of events involving the
community.
The Olympic Flame will travel for approximately 12 hours each
day, concluding on 66 of the 70 days with an exciting early evening
celebration event that will enable thousands of people to enjoy a
variety of entertainment staged by London 2012 and its three
Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners. Local Authorities will
play a key role in coordinating entertainment as part of the show.
Evening Celebrations will be free of charge, and each event will be
different with locally programmed content on the stage, which will
add to the celebratory atmosphere. Many thousands more people are
expected to celebrate along the route each day.
Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said: “Dover
Seafront will provide a great setting for people to celebrate the
Olympic Flame on 18 July, as well as the chance to welcome the
Torch in Deal, Sholden and Sandwich on 19 July. This is an
opportunity for community celebrations and for residents and people
in surrounding areas to welcome the Olympic Flame, and is a unique
opportunity to shine a light on the area and showcase Dover
District.”
Cllr Veronica Philpott, The Right Worshipful the Town Mayor of
Dover said: “The town is looking forward to celebrating the Olympic
Torch coming to Dover. Dover Town Council is already talking
with the community to ensure there is a lasting positive
benefit.”
Dover Seafront is one of 66 Evening Celebration locations across
the UK hosting an Evening Celebration as the Olympic Flame makes
its journey around the UK during the 70 day London 2012 Olympic
Torch Relay.
As part of the events, the London Organising Committee of the
Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Torch Relay
Presenting Partners, Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB/Bank of Scotland 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.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: “We have no doubt that
Dover District Council will help to stage an Evening Celebration
event that captures the excitement, passion and spirit of the
Olympic Torch Relay as it comes to rest at Dover Seafront.
The event will provide the perfect opportunity to invite the local
community to welcome the Olympic Flame and shine a light on the
culture and heritage of the area.”
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 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.
Details about the timing of the Evening Celebration event, how
many people will be able to attend, who will be performing and how
people can attend are currently being finalised.
More information will be available through the London 2012
website and in local press nearer to the start of the Olympic
Torch Relay, or see the dedicated Olympic
Torch Celebrations page or for information on how to get
involved, please call DDC on 01304 872338.
Date:
19/01/2012
Contact: Andy
Steele
Telephone: 01304
872020
Fax: 01304
872300
Press Office Direct Line: 01304 872020
