Dover District is looking forward to an exciting year - with the Olympic Torch Relay coming to Dover for a major Evening Celebration on Dover Seafront on Wednesday 18 July, as well as the Relay going to Deal, Sholden and Sandwich on Thursday 19 July.
Communities are invited to get involved, and representatives from Dover District Council and Dover Town Council met yesterday to look forward to the London 2012 Olympic Torch coming to Dover, to confirm the location of the Evening Celebration, and to continue to invite communities to join in with the welcome.
The Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebration will offer people from across the area the opportunity to mark the Olympic Flame's arrival and celebrate and share in the Olympic Spirit, with exciting family entertainment and a range of events involving the community.
The Olympic Flame will travel for approximately 12 hours each day, concluding on 66 of the 70 days with an exciting early evening celebration event that will enable thousands of people to enjoy a variety of entertainment staged by London 2012 and its three Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners. Local Authorities will play a key role in coordinating entertainment as part of the show. Evening Celebrations will be free of charge, and each event will be different with locally programmed content on the stage, which will add to the celebratory atmosphere. Many thousands more people are expected to celebrate along the route each day.
Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said: "Dover Seafront will provide a great setting for people to celebrate the Olympic Flame on 18 July, as well as the chance to welcome the Torch in Deal, Sholden and Sandwich on 19 July. This is an opportunity for community celebrations and for residents and people in surrounding areas to welcome the Olympic Flame, and is a unique opportunity to shine a light on the area and showcase Dover District."
Cllr Veronica Philpott, The Right Worshipful the Town Mayor of Dover said: "The town is looking forward to celebrating the Olympic Torch coming to Dover. Dover Town Council is already talking with the community to ensure there is a lasting positive benefit."
Dover Seafront is one of 66 Evening Celebration locations across the UK hosting an Evening Celebration as the Olympic Flame makes its journey around the UK during the 70 day London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
As part of the events, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners, Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB/Bank of Scotland and Samsung, will stage exciting entertainment shows where a cauldron will be lit from the Olympic Flame, marking the end of the day's proceedings.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: "We have no doubt that Dover District Council will help to stage an Evening Celebration event that captures the excitement, passion and spirit of the Olympic Torch Relay as it comes to rest at Dover Seafront. The event will provide the perfect opportunity to invite the local community to welcome the Olympic Flame and shine a light on the culture and heritage of the area."
The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK from Greece on Friday 18 May 2012 and the 70 day Torch Relay will start at Land's End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land's End, the Olympic Flame is expected to travel an estimated 8,000 miles across the UK, giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to their doorstep. The Olympic Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Details about the timing of the Evening Celebration event, how many people will be able to attend, who will be performing and how people can attend are currently being finalised.
More information will be available through www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay and in local press nearer to the start of the Olympic Torch Relay, or for information on how to get involved, call DDC on 01304 872338.
