The Olympic Torch Relay
The day the Olympic Torch came to Godalming was a great success for all involved.
Published Monday, 23 July 2012
Celebrate the Torch
Thousands of people took to the streets of Godalming to cheer the Olympic Torch Relay through town on Friday 20 July.
The atmosphere was one of joyous, colourful celebration, with residents of all ages out in force to see the Flame, waving flags, holding homemade Torches and enjoying the sun, which made a very welcome appearance.
Local Torchbearer Dan Eley carried the Flame up the High
Street to the Pepperpot, where it was handed to Godalming's celebrity
Torchbearer, Olympic silver-medallist Roger Black.
Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey and Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, was also on hand to congratulate Dan, whom he had nominated to carry the Torch.
"It has been totally overwhelming," said Dan, "and the most extraordinary day of my life. I'm so thankful to have been nominated, and I want to say thank you to all the people who have helped me after my accident."
Five other Torchbearers, Kate Evans, Michael Harris, Rachel McLean, Megan Munro and Becky Robinson also helped to transport the Torch through town, and all played their part at this historic occasion.
Once the Torch had left, Godalming Rock Choir performed in a flash mob on the High Street, singing 'Dancing in the Streets', and helped direct the crowds to The Burys Field, where the group sang rock and pop hits at the 'Celebrate the Torch' event.
Opened by Jeremy Hunt earlier in the day, this event, too, was a great success, with local schoolchildren proving to be the biggest stars, with their singing and dancing and sporting achievements.
Of particular note was the heart-warming performance by pupils from Moss Lane School, Green Oak and Godalming Junior School, of 'Heroes', an Olympic anthem written with local songwriter Anna Tabbush. The children sung onstage, backed by large puppets.
Shortly before the Torch arrived, Mayor of Waverley Cllr Tony Gordon-Smith unveiled the Olympic sculpture 'We Carried the Flame', by award-winning artist Christine Charlesworth, with Jeremy Hunt MP and Paralympian Rachel Morris, from Farnham, who won a gold medal in a handcycling time trial in Beijing in 2008.
An estimated 25,000 people were in Godalming to see the Olympic Torch Relay, which was a huge success for everyone involved.
Photos of the day
You can view photos of events on the Burys Field, crowds and spectators along the route and the Torch Relay itself from the day from our official photographers.
Send us your photos
Send us your photos of how you celebrated the day to our FaceBook page or directly to communications@waverley.gov.uk and we will put some on our official Flickr account where everyone will be able to see them. Check back on our website in the next few days for details on how to see photos from the day.
