18th July 2012

BRIDPORT: Town gets its moment to shine

By Paul Crompton

OLYMPIC fever gripped Bridport as thousands of people lined the streets to witness the torch travel through the town.

Around 2,000 people saw the torch as it made its way through the town on the 55th day of the flame’s journey around the UK.

Not even constant rain could dampen the enthusiasm of pupils and residents as they jostled to catch a glimpse of the Olympic flame. But a number of events were cancelled because of the constant downpour.

From East Road to West Road the market town was transformed into a hub of noise and colour as people celebrated the once in a lifetime event.

The Mayor, Councillor David Rickard, said the town could be proud of the celebrations it put on for the four torchbearers.

Councillor Rickard said: “Bridport did itself and the runners proud. I was really, really surprised to see how many people lined the road when it started. I’d estimate there was up to 2,000 people there.

“I think for the runners it was a great, they looked like they were smiling as they were running but I think from my point of view it was all over too quick when compared to the amount of planning that went into it.

“The weather meant we didn’t have the celebrations afterwards and that meant we couldn’t make it one long party.

“If the weather was fine it could’ve been absolutely amazing and that part was a shame but given the conditions everybody seemed very happy to be there.”

The Bridport leg of the relay was started by Deborah Sadd on East Road at 2:46pm.

It was then passed to 13-year-old Katie Norman on East Road who carried the flame before passing it onto Laura Kerr, 43, who then ran down West Street.

Peter Hellawell, 48, received the flame at the roundabout at the end of West Street and ran with it down West Allington.

The flame then moved to Chideock and Lyme Regis before passing through Burton Bradstock at around 4:50pm. It finished the day in Weymouth.

Rosie Barfoot from Stratton, near Dorchester, ran the third and last leg through Burton Bradstock taking the flame from Betty Port at the junction of High Street, Common Lane and Cliff Road which five days earlier was under three feet of water when the River Bride burst its banks following torrential rain.

Talking to View From Bridport at the finish by Beach Road she said: “What a wonderful experience, and for so many people to turn out in such terrible weather was fantastic. It was brilliant.”

Trevor Chambers of Bridport was selected as one of the torchbearers. Trevor, aged 69, ran in the Hamworthy leg of the relay.

BRIDPORT: Town gets its moment to shine

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