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Borough gets ready to welcome the Olympic Torch
With less than one month to go until the Olympic Torch
arrives in the borough of Scarborough, plans to make it the
borough’s ‘moment to shine’ are in full swing.
From Hinderwell in the north to Filey in the south, communities
are getting ready to welcome the Olympic Flame and celebrate the
achievements of the Torchbearers that will carry it through six
areas of the borough. Many thousands of spectators, including
school children, are expected to line the streets to catch a
glimpse of the Flame as it passes and soak up the party
atmosphere.
Events planned to run alongside the Olympic Torch Relay
include:
- The firing of the ‘Stiddy’ (or anvil) as the Olympic Torch is
carried through Lythe. This is a centuries old custom, which
signals a notable event. It was fired at the end of Word War 2 and
has been fired at other notable events like the Queen’s
Jubilees.
The anvil will be placed upside down on Lythe Common (opposite the
Stiddy Public House, outside the blacksmith's shop). The hole in
the bottom of the anvil will be filled with gunpowder and sealed
with a wooden plug, which has a hole through its centre. The plug
will be tapped into place and the centre hole filled with gunpowder
leaving a little on the surface. This will then be fired as the
Torch passes, by touching it with a long iron rod, the end of which
will have been heated red-hot in the blacksmith's forge. A loud
explosion will follow.
- A London 2012 inspired celebration event at Scarborough Open
Air Theatre (invitation only) where around 6,000 people, including
thousands of young people, representatives from the borough’s
sports and cultural groups and special guests from the London
Borough of Hackney (a London 2012 host borough) will welcome the
Olympic Torch before the Relay crew stops for its official lunch
break.
The event entertainment will be staged in three parts: part one
(before the arrival of the Torch) will have an international
cultural theme and will feature performers wearing costumes that
represent many of the countries taking part in London 2012; part
two (after the arrival of the Torch) will have a sporting theme and
will feature spectacular displays from local gymnasts and sports
groups; part three (after the departure of the Torch from the
theatre) will have a youth theme with musical performances from
local young people.
- North Yorkshire School Games Beach Volleyball Tournament
organised by North Yorkshire Sport, Whitby Beach Volleyball Club
and the council’s Sports Development Unit.
The tournament will take place on Scarborough’s south bay beach
between 10am and 3pm. Approximately 70 school children and 30
adults will take to the beach to battle it out in this popular
Olympic sport.
- Sea Swim in Scarborough’s south bay. Sea Swim is an officially
recognised ‘imove’ project that forms part of the London 2012
Cultural Olympiad.
Swimming in the open sea is a simple, free and timeless pleasure.
Part swimming club and part art club, Sea Swim celebrates the
creative inspiration that a dip in the ocean can bring. Club
members join in regular swims, share their stories and create works
of art, many of which will be exhibited and performed around the
region during 2012.
- Rotunda Museum celebration event
A local steel band will be playing on the Rotunda balcony, creating
a carnival type atmosphere as the Olympic Torch passes by. There
will be free entry for everyone to both the Rotunda and Scarborough
Art Gallery to mark this special occasion.
- Bell ringing at St Mary’s Church, Scarborough, St Mary’s
Church, Whitby and St Oswald’s Church, Filey
Cllr Derek Bastiman, Scarborough Borough Council’s lead
councillor for London 2012 inspired events said:
"There is definitely a sense of excitement in the air now that
we only have a few weeks to go until the Olympic Torch arrives in
our borough. This enthusiasm has grown since the Flame started its
journey around the UK and our communities are getting into the
party spirit as they firm up their plans to celebrate in style and
mark this once in a lifetime event.
"We are very lucky that our borough will be the first part of
Yorkshire to welcome the Flame and I am confident that in true
Yorkshire style we will give the Flame and the Torchbearers an
unforgettable welcome."
For further information please go to www.scarborough.gov.uk/coast2012.
Image courtesy of London
2012.