Thousands of Olympic fans enjoyed torch relay

9:50am Saturday 23rd June 2012 in News

Thousands of Olympic fans set to enjoy flaming June Thousands of Olympic fans set to enjoy flaming June

THOUSANDS of people had a weekend to remember for the rest of their lives when the Olympic torch arrived in Bury, Whitefield and Prestwich.

The eight-mile route attracted a throng of sightseers and there were numerous community events and entertainment being held to link in with the Olympic spirit.

The torch relay arrived in Bury in mid-afternoon and subsequently passed through Whitefield and Prestwich en route to Manchester city centre.

Those co-ordinating the event faced a huge challenge as the eight-mile route was one of the longest torch relay sections in the country in any single borough.

And it was certainly be a day to remember for one of the Bury torchbearers, 59-year-old Rick Wesolowski, who was chosen to carry the flame in recognition of his work helping children learn how to swim at Ramsbottom Baths.

Pupils and staff at St Monica's RC High School in Prestwich held a mini-festival, Slattery's in Whitefield served coffees and cupcakes and The Rock was the centre of mass celebration.

Comments(17)

shakerstevens says...
8:52am Fri 22 Jun 12

It would be useful if we could click on the picture of the map to clearly show the route. People need to be aware they will not be able to see the torch between Gigg Lane/Redvales and Sunnybank when its in a vehicle convoy, but at all other points of the route they will be able to see it. Also stay on the southbound side of the pavement as the road north into Bury from Manchester will still be in full use of normal transport. Lets hope the weather improves, should be a great event ! :)

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R'Marcus says...
11:21am Sat 23 Jun 12

Flaming June?
Washout more likely!
Yes, a map would be helpful for those who want to see "the" flame!

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carlchrystan says...
7:21pm Sat 23 Jun 12

What a fantastic event. This once-in-a-lifetime event made me wish I was drinking Coke, had a Samsung phone and was banking with TSB Lloyds. There was this silly old man who run up the street, but that didn't stop me thinking how much money I haven't spent by being more involved with these excellent products. So emotional.

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carlchrystan says...
7:32pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Sorry for calling the old man silly. He wasn't.

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redvales rebel says...
8:14pm Sat 23 Jun 12

What a fantastic event, 20 seconds of pure adrenalin as a white suited man passed by with a golden stick complete with flame embelishment. Wonder though how much of my hard earned council tax Bury as wasted on ALL the posters, banners, olympic ring things and sports themed silouettes currently to be seen in the gardens nearby the Town Hall. Not to mention the spectacular array of buntins adourning The Rock.
Who was all this suppossed to impress ???

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Megawatt says...
9:38pm Sat 23 Jun 12

I tell you who were impressed, the shop keepers. Especially the ones who sold food & drink. They were packed out !

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SwazyMod says...
12:02am Sun 24 Jun 12

I wonder how much of tax payers money the head of Parks has wasted on all that tat he's put up in Knowsley Street! What a waste of money for just 30 minutes if that. Well I suppose the tax payer will have to fund the removal too! Get your priorities right next time. The borough needs sorting, especially the street after all this rain we've had. You numpty!

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Nicola Burton says...
8:51am Sun 24 Jun 12

What a sad state of affairs that the majority of comments sofar are so negative and unpatriotic, no wonder we lack a spirit of patriotism in this country! Yesterday was an excellent way of rewarding those within our community who have served this borough with dignity and pride, providing them with an opportuinity to represent our country and we should be proud, not scoffing at a chance to be part of something countrywide! I am embarrassed for those of you who can only see this as an opportunity to have a moan about finances when it is a chance to celebrate local heroes within a national event.

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lordy65 says...
11:04am Sun 24 Jun 12

Well said Nicola,totally agree. A splendid day well attended by the good folk of Bury, Prestwich, Whitefield etc. Some people will always try and find fault and criticise!

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chopz says...
2:30pm Sun 24 Jun 12

R'Marcus wrote:
Flaming June?
Washout more likely!
Yes, a map would be helpful for those who want to see "the" flame!
Another moan from R'Marcus..just never happy..cheer up mate and see the positive side of Life.This is a fantastic occasion for Bury and a chance to celebrate whatever the weather..Be proud of Bury!

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chopz says...
2:34pm Sun 24 Jun 12

Nicola Burton wrote:
What a sad state of affairs that the majority of comments sofar are so negative and unpatriotic, no wonder we lack a spirit of patriotism in this country! Yesterday was an excellent way of rewarding those within our community who have served this borough with dignity and pride, providing them with an opportuinity to represent our country and we should be proud, not scoffing at a chance to be part of something countrywide! I am embarrassed for those of you who can only see this as an opportunity to have a moan about finances when it is a chance to celebrate local heroes within a national event.
Well Said Ms Burton! So ellequently said!I cant agree any more with you!

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LizzyLilac says...
11:17pm Sun 24 Jun 12

God listen to yourselves you bunch of moaning minnies....we took our boy to see the flame and he loved it and so did we (plus we are taxpayers)its been more than 60 years since we had olympics in this country bet you cant wait for another 60 years for another chance to whinge and moan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not much reason to be overly cheerful at the moment yet you begrude the good citizens of bury and surrounding areas to coming together to celebrate like they did yesterday...Personal
ly i thought it was brill and worth every single penny spent....Great day out, well organised and chance for Bury to shine....

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bradds says...
10:02am Mon 25 Jun 12

bury people enjoyed the events. nice to see a few people from nearby care homes enjoying the day. well done bury.

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michael1991 says...
10:06am Mon 25 Jun 12

I don't know why everyone is moaning about the torch, I have never seen sunnybank so busy before Saturday, the flame brought the whole community together, sod the costs, surely bringing everyone together far out weighs how much it costed!

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Jennie Hardman says...
12:01pm Mon 25 Jun 12

What a lot of moaners!
I am 66 years old and this is the first time I've witnessed anything like this and I'm so glad I have.
Life is not about watching TV or propping up a bar in a pub - it's about joining in and being proud of our society. Well done Bury!

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Jennie Hardman says...
12:02pm Mon 25 Jun 12

What a lot of moaners!
I am 66 years old and this is the first time I've witnessed anything like this and I'm so glad I have.
Life is not about watching TV or propping up a bar in a pub - it's about joining in and being proud of our society. Well done Bury!

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shakerstevens says...
9:49pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Glad to see so many positive comments after a few moaners to start with ! This was an excellent event for Bury and whilst some tax payers money was spent, much more money would have come to the town with all the extra shoppers on the day from surrounding areas. Bury were very lucky to get the torch mid day on a saturday, which meant people who didn't see the midweek run in Bolton the month before, or those not prepared to see the torch leave Salford at 6am the day after it was in Bury could come to the town, spend their money, perhaps see the rock development for the first time and come back again and again the future to put money into our region after being impressed at the "show" that Bury put on for the Olympic torch !

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