Olympic Torch Relay to pass through many Derbyshire towns and villages

7 November 2011

The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will pass through many of Derbyshire's towns and villages next summer, it has been revealed.

On Friday, June 29, 2012, the iconic flame will make its way through Glapwell, Bolsover, Calow, Chesterfield, Matlock, Darley Dale, Bakewell and Buxton before heading south to Ashbourne and then to Derby which has previously been confirmed as the host of an Olympic Torch Relay evening celebration.

Olympics organisers have also announced that the torch relay will stop off at the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath where it will be transported to the summit in a cable car. More information about the street-by-street route and stops will be released in the coming months.

Around 100 local people will get the chance to carry the flame, and the names of the successful local torchbearers will be announced in a few weeks' time by Olympics organisers.

The torch relay is an important part of the build up to every Olympic Games. The flame represents the Olympic values of peace, unity and friendship and will be lit from the sun's rays in Olympia, Greece.

Over the next few months towns, villages and schools on the route will be planning how they will welcome the torch.

David Joy, Director of Derbyshire Sport, said: "It is fantastic news for Derbyshire that the torch will be travelling through so much of the county. The Torch Relay will really bring the Olympics and Paralympics to life for local people and help to inspire their enthusiasm for sport. We hope that they will not only be inspired to watch the Olympics and Paralympics, but will also be motivated to try a new sport or become more active themselves, and play a part in Derbyshire's 2012 legacy."

An interactive map which shows which towns and villages the Olympic Flame will be carried through can be seen at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap (opens in a new window)

Pictured above, back row from left, is Isobel Ashley, Philip Redford-Jones, Mark Porter, Gemma Sykes, Hannah Menzies, Lucy Quinn and Rory Slater, Derbyshire 2012 Legacy Coordinator. Front row from left is David Thornton from Visit Peak District and Derbyshire and Cllr John Burrows, Leader Chesterfield Borough Council, outside The Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints, the 'Crooked Spire' in Chesterfield.

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