Get involved in the Olympic Flame celebrations

Shropshire Council is encouraging people to give the Olympic Flame a real Shropshire welcome when it visits the county next May (2012).

Earlier this month (Monday 7 November 2011) the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announced that the torch, to be carried by a number of inspirational Torchbearers, will pass through the communities of Ludlow, Clee Hill and Cleobury Mortimer on Thursday 24 May 2012 and Oswestry, Pant, Llanymynech, Shrewsbury, Cressage, Much Wenlock, Benthall and Broseley on Wednesday 30 May 2012.

This visit will give local people a once in a lifetime chance to welcome the Olympic Flame, share in the excitement of the Relay and celebrate the fantastic achievements of the Torchbearers.

The council is offering support to individuals, communities and organisations wishing to celebrate and be part of the Torch Relay experience.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for active and healthy lifestyles, said:

“I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to get involved and celebrate this once in a lifetime opportunity to welcome the Olympic Flame.

“If you’re planning a special welcome, please let us know.”

People interested in getting involved in the celebrations should call Joy Durrant in the council’s community arts and festivals team on 01743 255077 or email joy.durrant@shropshire.gov.uk to talk through ideas and to highlight events for promotion.

LOCOG have a devoted web-page to help people get started with event planning, and they can also register as a Local Leader by visiting their website. Here people can download ‘Top 10 planning tips’ and a poster to help recruit others to organise events. They will be sent updates with hints and tips and promotional material, including posters and decoration ideas. Plus they can get exclusive access to Local Leader merchandise with volume discounts if they buy in bulk.