London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – Sevenoaks & Riverhead, Kent

Friday 20th July saw the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay relay travel through 21 communities in Kent and Surrey.

Throughout the day the flame was carried through Maidstone, Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Higham, Gravesend, Brands Hatch, Borough Green, Seal, Sevenoaks, Riverhead, Godstone, Bletchingley, Redhill, Reigate, Dorking, Westcott, Shere, Chilworth, Godalming and Guildford. Culminating in an evening celebration which was held at Guildford’s Stoke Park, with a cauldron-lighting ceremony and entertainment from Rizzle Kicks and Twist and Pulse.

I was lucky enough to accompany a local Primary School who had kindly been allocated a space along the relay route between Sevenoaks and Riverhead by Sevenoaks District council to enable the school children the once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Olympic flame being carried through their local area; and what a way to end the school year!

It really was a momentous occasion, if you go by what you read in the papers lately they’d have you believe that no one is really interested in the Olympics and that it’s event organisation has left much to be desired. What I saw yesterday completely dispelled this; the atmosphere along the route was electrifying and the organisation was fantastic. The temporary road closures put in place by Kent Police were perfectly timed. Their officers were riding up on motorbikes and in cars sounding their alarms and high-fiving the crowds for an hour or so before the torch arrived, which went some way to build upon people’s excitement. Kent Fire Brigade were also mingling with the large crowd, handing out fire safety advice and paper helmets to practically all of the school children much to their delight.

The activity started to build along the road with the Samsung bus, Coca-Cola float and Lloyds TSB bus passing in quick succession, then a car telling us that in just another 6 minutes The Torch would be with us. In the distance we caught sight of the Torch Carrier, Pawel Zdanowicz, passing The Halfway House and then Sevenoaks Fire Station along London Road, and before we knew it he was at the ‘Kissing Point’ where the next Olympic Torchbearer Ruth Lewis would take over. It was a wonderful moment and quite obviously a historic occasion for the Torchbearers – the proud and excited looks on their faces was utterly delightful.

I’m so glad I had the chance to go and watch the relay; and with a little over six days left of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay left if you can get to an event near you to see it then you really must go!