Olympic Torch on Plymouth Hoe 19/5/2012

Olympic Torch on Plymouth Hoe 19/5/2012
As it is a once in a lifetime experience, Steve and I were planning to go and see the torch pass through our nearby towns of Brixton, Yealmpton or Modbury on the Sunday 20/5/2012, but decided at the last minute to go up on Plymouth Hoe for the first location for one of the evening celebrations. We decided to go in on the Park and Ride from Plympton, into the City Centre and then walk the short distance up to the World famous spectacular Plymouth Hoe, which overlooks Plymouth Sound. The iconic structure Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse was lit up for this very special occasion.

The Olympic Torch on Plymouth Hoe 19/5/2012

We decided to go in quite early to hopefully get a good spot on the Esplanade, but so did a lot of others. We arrived on the Hoe at around 6.30 p.m. which we thought would be in plenty of time to see the flame, which was due to pass through at 8.50 p.m. However, the little family in front of us had been at their spot right in the front of the barriers where the torch bearer would run past, since 3.00 p.m. that afternoon, so we were really lucky to find somewhere close to the action. We waited and waited, and watched the entertainment that was provided on the stage and the big screen, which included a short video of the historic event when the flame is lit in Greece and then transferred to delegates from the Country hosting the Olympic Games. From Greece the flame then flew to the United Kingdom and its first stop in Cornwall.

Some of the entertainment also included Twist & Pulse who were runners up in the Britain’s Got Talent Final in 2011. I have to say they were very good and included in their entertainment, one of them went up in an open lift to take photos of the huge crowd that was now accumulating.

Plymouth City Council had estimated that around 40,000 people might turn up, but police estimated 55,000 people had packed the natural amphitheatre and signs even warned latecomers the Hoe was ‘close to capacity’ which is absolutely amazing and as I have lived in and around Plymouth most of my life have never known of such crowds.

We waited and waited and 8.50 p.m came and went, and I overheard someone say that the flame had been delayed and was about 40 minutes late, so as our legs had now rooted to the spot, what was another 40 minutes! Then at around 9.30 p.m. huge cheers went up as little 12 year old Maddie Wood who had the honour of carrying the flame made her way across this wonderful setting. It all happened so quickly and it was just a fleeting glance, and if you blinked you would have missed it. We were just very lucky to be close enough and Steve managed to get a close shot (even though it is a little blurred). He did also take a lot of other pictures, and I have just selected a few to view below. I also managed to video it passing our spot which I was really pleased with, so please have a look at it. The flame lit the cauldron on the Plymouth Hoe stage where it was then transferred to a lamp to spend the night in Plymouth.

I have to say the atmosphere was absolutely tremendous with loads of Union Jack flags, inflatable sponsorship batons, and many of the huge crowd had Union Jack painted faces. Plymouth had laid on a brilliant show and I, Steve and my 82 year mum were glad to be part of it.

It was now pitch dark when we made our way back into the town centre, to join a huge queue for our bus. As you can imagine getting 55,000 people out of the city was not going to be quick or easy. It had been a long tiring evening, but we all enjoyed it.

If you want to buy an Olympic Torch then you may be surprised to know they are already for sale on eBay and the first one has over 40 bids and is valued at over £101,000

If you had actually run with one would you sell it?