Torch Relay: Olympics fever grips Essex (From Brentwood Weekly News)

Torch Relay: Olympics fever grips Essex

11:52am Wednesday 4th July 2012 in Local news By Ryan McCarthy

ABOUT 10,000 people are expected to line the Olympic Torch Relay routes through Brentwood and Chelmsford.

Torch Relay organisers were in Chelmsford this morning to give details about the Essex leg of the torch journey around the country.

Friday's route through Essex will be day 49 of the relay and it will cover 117 miles from Ipswich to Chelmsford.

On Friday there will be 138 torchbearers getting their hands on the torch and before day 50 starts in Chelmsford, the city will play host to Sparks Will Fly, a huge Olympic celebration at Hylands Park.

Bernard Mella, director of leisure and culture at Chelmsford City Council, said: "The relay and Sparks Will Fly will be truly incredible events.

"At Hylands Park there will be a host of schools performing as well as singer and stage star Lee Mead.

"There will be 57 different venues and attractions at the event."

Britain's Got Talent stars Twist and Pulse will also perform.

Mr Mella asked ticketholders to Sparks Will Fly to arrive early and bring a torch to help sparks fly in the evening.

Stephen Castle, Essex County Council member responsible for the Games, said: "Essex has been involved witht he Olympics for about ten years right from backing the bid.

"We have worked hard to ensure there is a legacy in Essex and Friday and Saturday will be remarkable and memorable days in the county.

"I have seen the effect of the relay in other counties and it really will be something special when the torch comes to Essex."

The torch will be in torchbearer mode, on foot, from Rectory Lane, Herongate, at 5.41pm until Common Road at 5.55pm.

It will travel along Ingrave Road to Brentwod where it will be in in torchbearer mode from The Avenue at 5.58pm until Middleton Road at 6.21pm.

After the Sparks Will Fly event the relay will then begin again in Chelmsford on Saturday at 6.57am at Anglia Ruskin University.

It will pass through the High Street, across Parkway and into Moulsham Street, arriving at Chelmsford Museum just before 7.20am.