In the news: Huge crowds turn out to welcome the Olympic Flame at Blenheim Palace
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9th July
Around 13,000 people turned out in Woodstock and Blenheim Palace on the afternoon of 9 July to share in the excitement of welcoming the Olympic Flame.
Entertainment and activities by local groups added to a party atmosphere before the relay started. In Woodstock local bands played and in Blenheim Palace many people joined in the displays and activities put on by schools, sports clubs and disability groups.
The church bells rang as the crowds cheered, clapped and waved flags when Clive Stone from Eynsham carried the Torch into the centre of Woodstock before passing the Flame across to Roland Read. Mr Stone was greeted by the Rt Hon David Cameron, Prime Minister and MP for Witney, who had been meeting the crowds at Blenheim Palace.
Once inside the Palace grounds, Graham Warland, the next Torchbearer ran in front of the beautiful backdrop of Blenheim Palace, a scene often called the ‘Finest View in England'.
Thousands of excited flag-waving school children greeted 18 year old Juliet Sparrow as she carried the Torch into the Great Court, at the front of Blenheim Palace. Some of the children had created Olympic-inspired banners and they were standing on the Palace steps holding them up for the world to see.
Inside the Great Court Juliet Sparrow (photographed right) was met by the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. His Grace, the 11th Duke of Marlborough welcomed her saying, “We are honoured and delighted that the Olympic Torch Relay has come to Blenheim Palace today. I am sure that this historic event will be long remembered by all present, and I am especially pleased that there are over 3,000 children here today”.
“We wish all the runners a safe journey and we all hope that the Olympic Games will be very enjoyable and successful.”
Cllr Derek Cotterill, the Chairman of West Oxfordshire District Council and Cllr Brian Yoxall, Mayor of Woodstock also welcomed the Torch to Woodstock and West Oxfordshire.
On the Palace steps the Flame was handed over to Pat Pearce (photographed left) who left the Great Court holding the Torch up high whilst the crowds sang Land of Hope and Glory led by a brass band. Leslie Billinger was the final Torchbearer before the Flame left Woodstock and Blenheim Palace to resume its journey.
Cllr Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member for Leisure at West Oxfordshire District Council had been very involved in the preparations for the day. He said, “It’s thrilling to be here and see the Olympic flame carried by inspirational torchbearers and I’m incredibly proud of the fantastic welcome it’s been given by West Oxfordshire residents. Both Woodstock and Blenheim Palace play an important role in attracting thousands of tourists to the Oxfordshire Cotswolds each year and today has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase our district for the world to see.”
“A lot of effort has gone into ensuring that this day has run so smoothly and I would like to thank officers from the local authorities, Blenheim Palace staff, the Police, schools and the local community groups who put on displays and entertainment. It’s been a good example of communities and authorities coming together and working effectively.”
Cllr Brian Yoxall, Mayor of Woodstock, said, “It was an unforgettable day. Everyone appreciated it was a historic occasion for Woodstock and Blenheim Palace and was determined to savour the moment. An added bonus was that the Prime Minister was present and engaging with as many people in the crowd as humanly possible.”
For more photographs and comments, view the West Oxfordshire District Council Online Image Gallery <http://www.westoxon.gov.uk/furtherinfo/gallery.cfm?frmImageOrder=1> or contact the Council’s communications office.
For more information about Blenheim Palace visit www.blenheimpalace.com <http://www.blenheimpalace.com> or call the free 24 hour information line 0800 8496500. More comments and images can be found at www.facebook.com/blenheimpalace
ENDS
Notes to Editors
In the image: Torchbearers Pat Pearce and Juliet Sparrow on the front steps of Blenheim Palace with The Duchess and Duke of Marlborough. Also Cllr Brian Yoxall, Mayor of Woodstock, Cllr Derek Cotterill, the Chairman of West Oxfordshire District Council,
Seven Torchbearers were scheduled for the relay through Woodstock and Blenheim Palace, but the first, Harry Davies, was taken ill during his leg. LOCOG is looking to find another leg for him to run. The Torchbearers were: Clive Stone, Roland Read, Graham Warland, Juliet Sparrow, Pat Pearce MBE and Leslie Bellinger.
Torchbearers at Blenheim Palace
Graham Warland
Hometown Banbury. Age 64
Carrying the Flame through Woodstock
Graham's nomination story
Graham is the VA/VE Leader for Cooper Safety and has been with the business since 1982. His main passion is canoeing and he competes regularly in flatwater racing competitions. Additionally he is the trustee and vice-chairman of Banbury & District Canoe Club and geneorus with his time ensuring the Club continues to prosper and throve. The Club was awarded the Sport England Club Mark and the British Canoe Unions Top Perfromance Club and Top Community Club Awards for the quality of it's coaching and named BCU Club of the Year in 2006 and runner up in 2009. Graaham still found time to secure third place in the paddling K2 (over 54 category) at the National Canoe Championships at Worcester this year. In 2002 he ran the London Marathon for the Cancer Charity Clic Sargent who were extremely supportive to his son Ross during his illness.
Roland Read
Hometown Oxford, age 61yrs
Carrying the Flame through Woodstock
Roland's nomination story
"Roland has run the local Karate club for more than 30 years. It welcomes people of all ages and fitness. It is one of the few clubs around that isn`t run as a business. Roland changed the junior class to a family class when parents started showing an interest in doing a sport with their children and our style is traditional so there is no contact. Many parents bring their children to teach them some discipline, focus or just to build their confidence. There are also several special needs pupils. We have many members that are complete families. Although Roland has a full time job and for many years has worked with the Parish council, and other local committees he still finds time to run the club 10 hours a week. His patience and charisma in controlling a class, which can be 50 pupils or more ranging from 7 years to 60+. I would never have dreamt of learning a martial art as I suffered with my confidence for years, but his way with people is inspiring and I can`t believe that after 13 years with the club I am now a 2nd dan instruction. The club doesn`t make a profit and in the leaner years Roland subsidised the club himself and no-one is turned away because they can`t afford to come. The desire isn`t to create black belts, it is to build confidence and character and awareness and also to have fun. It is a wonderfully social place to be and we are one huge family. How he keeps it all together even when he is struggling himself is amazing. Everyone knows Sensei Roland."
Pat Pearce Mbe
Hometown Berkshire
Age 67
Carrying the Flame through Woodstock
Pat's nomination story
"Pat, a retired BA cabin crew member, is co-founder of the children?s charity Dreamflight. Each year the charity takes 192 seriously ill and disabled children on a holiday of a lifetime on a British Airways jumbo.. Pat believes it is important to bring fun and joy to children who through various illnesses have experienced much pain, distress and disruption to their young lives and therefore might not otherwise ever have the opportunity to holiday as other children do. . The trip costs a staggering ?700,000 each year and Pat works tirelessly to inspire fundraisers and spread the word about the charity.. For the children, the trip is truly life changing. They benefit from meeting new people, building friendships with children in similar situations to them and gaining new independence. Paralympian gold medallist Liz Johnson, a former Dreamflight child, credits her experiences on the trip with giving her the confidence and self belief to achieve her sporting success. . In 2004, Pat fought her own battle with cancer, but rather than feel sorry for herself she used it to give her an insight into how the Dreamflight children must feel and was more determined than ever that Dreamflight must continue. . Over the last 25 years Pat Pearce has helped change the lives of nearly 5,000 children from across the UK. ."
Clive Stone
64, Eynsham
Cancer campaigner Mr Stone, who received an MBE for his services to health after being nominated by Prime Minister David Cameron, last night revealed he had been recently chosen to take the flame though Woodstock on Monday. Mr Stone, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2007, has fought tirelessly since his diagnoses to make life better for cancer patients.
He battled successfully to make the kidney cancer drug Sunitinib available on the NHS and has been credited with persuading the Government to allocate £200m to an emergency drug fund for cancer patients.
Mr Stone is also a key member of the Kidney Cancer Support Network, KCSN, a group which has fought the procedures of the Government’s health watchdog the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice).
Juliet Sparrow
Eighteen-year-old Juliet Sparrow will carry the Flame to Blenheim Palace. Juliet's courage and determination has helped her to overcome a broken back, which happened while she was trekking in Costa Rica to raise money for charity.
Leslie Bellinger – no information
Harry Davies, 16, Spanish- no information
For more information about the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, and for further information about the torchbearers visit www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay
Media enquiries:
West Oxfordshire District Council:
t: 01993 861616/861615 m: 07771965360; communications@westoxon.gov.uk
Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a World Heritage Site. Home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, the Palace is situated in Woodstock, just 8 miles from Oxford and is surrounded by 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown landscaped parkland, the great lake, and beautiful formal gardens.
For further information about Blenheim Palace please call the 24 hour information line on 0800 849 6500 or visit the website at www.blenheimpalace.com
• Blenheim Palace and Formal Gardens is open for the 2012 season from 11th February to 14th December 2012. For all up-to-date information, opening times and prices call 0800 849 6500 (free 24 hour recorded information) or visit www.blenheimpalace.com
• Free Annual Pass offer: Buy One Day, Get 12 Months Free – Every visitor who purchases a ticket to Blenheim Palace can receive an Annual Pass, free. For details, terms and conditions visit www.blenheimpalace.com
• Blenheim Palace is a member of the Treasure Houses of England, 10 of the most magnificent palaces, stately homes and castles in England www.treasurehouses.co.uk
• Blenheim Palace holds a Silver Award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
For further information about Blenheim Palace please call the 24 hour information line on 0800 849 6500 or visit the website at www.blenheimpalace.com
For media information and images contact: Hannah Payne at Blenheim Palace
Telephone: +44 (0) 1993 810524 Email: hpayne@blenheimpalace.com
