Wickford Extra, Summer 2012 29


Torchcomes to town E


to cheer the torchbearers as they carried their precious cargo through Basildon. 16-year-old local girl Millie Downes took


Crowds six or seven deep lined the route


VEN the sun turned out to welcome the Olympic Flame to Basildon –along with 65,000 flag-waving enthusiasts.


the first steps with the torch towards the Sporting Village, wherenearly 200 school- children werewaiting to welcome it on Friday,July 6. They let out an ear splitting cheer as sec-


ond runner MarcGrayston appeared with the torch held high, beforehedid alap of honour around the village’sOlympic-size pool watched by the Japanese swimming team. Youngsters –and adults –eager to touch


the torch and be photographed with it, besieged the 27-year-old who runs akarate club in the town. Marc (pictured) said: “It was an unbeliev-


towards them will literally live with me forev- er and seeing my wife and kids beaming was unforgettable.” The torch, which was on its 49th day of an


able experience, and one which Ifind hard to put into words. “But hearing the roar from the kids as Iran


epic 8,000 mile journey across the UK, had started in Ipswich beforemaking its way from Colchester to Hatfield Peveral, Maldon, Southend, Rayleigh and Hadleigh. After its journey through Basildon it went on to Grays, Herongate, Brentwood and Chelmsford.


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