18th July 2012

BRIDPORT: The olympic torch in Bridport

When the torch relay reaches its conclusion later this month, a total of 8,000 torchbearers will have carried the flame during the 70-day, 8,000-mile relay to the Olympic Stadium in London.

The route was chosen so the Olympic Flame went within 10 miles of 95 per cent of people in the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.

The torch travelled by a variety of transport methods including horseback, bicycle, tram and steam-train.

The torch and relay were important elements of the cultural festivals surrounding the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece.

During the Games, a sacred flame burned continually on the altar of the goddess, Hera.

In addition, heralds were summoned to travel throughout Greece to announce the Games, declaring a sacred truce for the duration.

A very precise ritual for the lighting of the flame is followed at every Games. It is lit from the sun’s rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, in a traditional ceremony among the ruins of the home of the ancient Games.

After a short relay around Greece, the flame is handed over to the new host city at another ceremony in the Panathenaiko stadium in Athens.

The flame is then delivered to the host country, where it is transferred from one torchbearer to another, spreading the message of peace, unity and friendship.

It ends its journey as the last torchbearer lights the cauldron at the Olympic Games opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, marking the official start of the Games.

The flame is extinguished on the final day of the Games, at the closing ceremony.

PICTURE 1: George and Henry Wyrill, William Gibbons, siblings Jacob and Caitlin Huxter and brother and sister Darcey and William Smith waiting for the torch

PICTURE 2: Students from the Sir John Colfox School proudly carry the Olympic message

PICTURE 3: Bridport School pupil Tom Gurd got into the Olympic spirit when the torch went through the town

PICTURE 4: Mayor of Bridport, Councillor Dave Rickard, with his wife Anne and deputy mayor, Councillor Geoff Ackerman