In the news: Blenheim Palace and West Oxfordshire to be part of 'London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route'
news release
7th November 2011
Blenheim Palace and West Oxfordshire to be part of ‘London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route.
Olympic excitement has come to West Oxfordshire with Woodstock and Blenheim Palace announced today as part of the Olympic Torch relay route, when it travels around the UK next summer.
On 9th July 2012, West Oxfordshire residents will be able to welcome the Olympic flame in Woodstock and Blenheim Palace and share in the excitement of the Relay and celebrate the achievements of the Torchbearers.
Cllr Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member for local economy and communities said, “We are delighted to be hosting the Olympic flame and look forward to welcoming West Oxfordshire residents to join us on 9th July and share in the Olympic spirit, and in what will be a once in a lifetime celebratory event.
“Historic Woodstock is a place of special interest and Blenheim Palace is a magnificent World Heritage Site, and they are both wonderful examples of the rich heritage and breathtaking beauty of West Oxfordshire.”
The delightful historic town of Woodstock with its Cotswold stone buildings has just celebrated its 900-year centenary. Blenheim Palace is home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill. With 2100 acres of ground landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, consisting of formal gardens and glorious lawns, Blenheim Palace is responsible for thousands of tourists visiting Oxfordshire every year. It is a large benefactor to the average £249 million that is made by the tourist industry every year in West Oxfordshire, supplying the area with around 4,800 full time jobs.
Woodstock and Blenheim are two of over 1,000 villages, towns and cities announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: ‘We are thrilled to confirm that Woodstock and Blenheim will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people in West Oxfordshire to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK. This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across West Oxfordshire to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games.
The 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.
In announcing the villages, towns and cities LOCOG has realised the aspiration of taking the Olympic Flame to within an hour’s journey time of 95% of the population. In fact, over 95% of the population will be within just 10 miles of the Olympic Flame next summer. The street by street detail of the route will be confirmed next year.
People are invited to view the interactive map at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap to find their nearest community through which the Olympic Flame will be carried.
On the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, it is LOCOG’s intention that the Olympic Flame will travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community. In December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.
Notes to Editors
For further information regarding West Oxfordshire District Council:
Carys Davies Cllr Richard Langridge
Communications CabinetMember
t: 01993 861615 m: 07771 965360 t: 01993 704495
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 contact: Hannah Payne at Blenheim Palace
Telephone: +44 (0) 1993 810524 Email: hpayne@blenheimpalace.com>
Blenheim Palace and Formal Gardens open from 12th February 2011 to 16th December 2011. Blenheim Palace opens for the new season from 11th February - 14th December 2012.
The Palace and Formal Gardens are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in November and December. The Park is open daily except Christmas Day
The Park opens at 9am, the Formal Gardens at 10am and the Palace and Pleasure Gardens from 10.30am.
Last admission to the Palace and Gardens is at 4.45pm. The Palace and Pleasure Gardens* close at 5.30pm and the Park at 6pm.>
Child age 5-16 inclusive. Under 5’s free. Full details of ticket prices are available on request.
Blenheim Palace is a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
