CHESTER will be the first city in the North West to take part in London 2012’s Olympic torch relay.
The 70-day, 8,000-mile journey will begin in Land’s End on May 19, 2012, and will snake across the length and breadth of the nation – calling at Chester on May 26 – before reaching the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012.
While details of the event are still being developed, Cheshire West and Chester Council has revealed Cheshire Dance is forming a unique creative partnership with a major performance team of aerialists, pyrotechnicians, light and sound designers and event engineers.
The free event will welcome the Olympic torch to the stage, lighting the celebration cauldron and announcing the arrival of the Olympic flame.
The Chester event is expected to include a cast of up to 500 dancers from Cheshire schools and community groups, using an iconic location as a backdrop for the show, which will be broadcast on television.
And the organising committee of the Olympic Games is hoping to find local inspirational people to carry the torch in each of the towns and cities it visits.
Mike Jones, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said he was ‘extremely proud’ the city had been chosen.
“The visit of the torch to our city, passing through our communities with its message of peace, unity and friendship, will be a hugely symbolic moment for us all and one to treasure for years to come,” he said.
“For this reason we intend to make the occasion one to be shared by all our communities and I would encourage the nomination of local people with inspirational stories, to apply through the national torchbearer programme for the honour of carrying the torch on the day of the visit.”
Cllr Stuart Parker, spokesman for leisure and tourism, added: “The visit of the Olympic torch will be a momentous occasion for Cheshire West and Chester showcasing our historic city to the world.
“Our extremely exciting torch celebration plans are part of a wide programme of activities aimed at marking this unique year and creating lasting beneficial legacy throughout our communities.”
The Chester event aims to attract dancers from across Cheshire to participate in The Moment When…, a performance created for the Olympic Torch event.
Jacqueline McCormick, dance director of Cheshire Dance, said: “Our aim for The Moment When… is to place local excellence in the arts on the world stage. Our recruitment process for groups wanting to engage in the Torch event and The Moment When… as a whole is now open – visit www.cheshiredance.org/2012.”
To nominate an inspirational person to carry the Olympic flame in Chester, visit www.london2012.com/ olympictorchrelay. The closing date is 11.59pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2011.
