Olympic spirit engrossed South West Surrey on Friday (20th July) as the torch was welcomed by a crowd of up to 27,000 spectators wanting to catch a glimpse of the flame.
The torch had toured much of Surrey by the time it reached Godalming, just before 5:45pm, to meet a sea of local people who packed the streets to celebrate the arrival of the London 2012 Olympic Games and support local heroes who had been nominated to carry the torch through the area. Amongst the seven torchbearers was charity founder Dan Eley who was given the honour of carrying the torch through the High Street due to his perseverance in his work to help disadvantaged children in Latin America, an inspirational feat in light of a diving accident leaving him paralysed from the chest down in 2010.
The torch was then passed to the ‘mystery’ torchbearer, finally revealed to be Olympian and winner of a silver medal in both the 400m and 4x400m relay in the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, Roger Black MBE. The former athlete shared a hug with Eley before carrying the flame for the penultimate part of the torch’s journey through Godalming, from the Pepperpot to Ockford Road, waving to the cheering crowd.
Olympics Minister and local MP Jeremy Hunt was also there to celebrate the event. He said: 'It's wonderful that South West Surrey is hosting the Olympic Torch Relay’ and described the atmosphere amongst the crowd as ‘electric’, calling it an ‘extremely special day for Godalming’.
The day was also celebrated with sport, dance and song on the Burys Field; a procession and 45 minute concert by The Godalming Rock Choir; an Olympic song composed by local school children from Moss Lane, Green Oak and Godalming Junior School; and the unveiling of a statue in honour of the torchbearers, by local Paralympian Rachel Morris.
TOP RIGHT: Jeremy Hunt poses with Olympian and torchbearer Roger Black
BOTTOM RIGHT: Godalming Town Councillor Paul Robinson plays his part as a steward