The Guardian has been celebrating the Olympic Torch Relay with its own online writer’s relay. Each day, guest writers are asked to describe what it means to them to see the flame visiting their own home town.
For the Torch Relay’s journey through St Albans on Sunday 8 July, SportingLandmarks was asked to contribute.
Update: On 27 July, the day of the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, the Guardian summed-up what turned-out to be a great project.
One thought on “Guardian Writer’s Relay – Day 51: honouring St Albans champion of golf”
Hi Ian
I read your comments about the Torch not stopping at the house of William Penny Brookes in Much Wenlock. The Torch passed the house twice during the Relay and both times Chris Cannon the Archivist of the Wenlock Olympian Society was on the steps dressed as Dr. Brookes and doffed his top hat to the Flame. The best photo was taken by Sabine Hutchinson and can be seen here:-
http://www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk/gallery3/index.php/about/Olympic-Torch-at-Much-Wenlock/The-Olympic-Torch-visits-Much-Wenlock-1906636354
The Torch had to keep to a strict timetable so this is the way the link with Brookes was recognised.
It didn’t visit his grave as such but Torch Bearer John Simpson took his Torch to the grave afterwards.
We had a fabulous day on 30th May as the Torch came through Much Wenlock. There was a group of veteran Olympians stretching back to the 1948 Games. Alison Williamson the local archer carried the Torch and will be competing in her sixth Games. Hundreds of young people took part in a successful World Record attempt for running round the school track. It is estimated that 10,000 spectators came to watch the Torch in Wenlock, four times the town’s population!
It was a truly fantastic day that those who were there will remember for a long time.
Best wishes
Tim King
Tourism Officer
Shropshire Council