Watford ready to welcome Paralympic torch (From Watford Observer)

Watford ready to welcome Paralympic torch

11:42am Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in News By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter

The route the Paralympic torch relay will take through Watford and Bushey next week has been revealed.

The torch will be making a night-time journey through the area as part of a 24-hour relay starting next Tuesday from Stoke Mandeville Stadium to the Olympic Stadium in London.

The flame will be greeted by the town’s mayor Dorothy Thornhill in the car park of Sainsbury’s by the Dome Roundabout at around 12.50am on Wednesday.

The torch will then leave at around 2am and head along St Albans Road towards Beechen Grove ring road.

It will arrive at Watford Fire Station, in Lower High Street, at around 2.40am before heading through Bushey Arches and along Chalk Hill and London Road, into Bushey along Sparrows Herne via High Street.

From there the torch will proceed to Harrow.

Watford residents and those from the surrounding area are invited to show their support to the torchbearers.

Mayor Thornhill said: "The Olympics were a fantastic success and I know the Paralympics are eagerly awaited.

"The theme of endeavour runs through the Paralympics. The organisers have set themselves the challenge of getting the Paralympic flame from Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the paralympic movement, to the Olympic Stadium in London within 24 hours, so this should bring a real sense of anticipation and challenge to proceedings.

"Local people are welcome to come out at night as the flame comes through Watford and support the tourchbearing teams when they most need it. I am looking forward to giving them a warm Watford welcome."

The 116 torchbearers, wearing a white and blue uniform, will be making the 92-mile route from Stoke Mandeville to the Stratford Park.

Paralympic organisers are also encouraging members of the public to make and light a lantern to help torchbearers find their way along the route.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of LOCOG, said: "The Paralympic Torch Relay celebrates the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality. Whether they have been together for years, or brought together around a common story, each team of five torchbearers represents the Paralympic values and the power of human endeavour.

"Today we invite people to show their support by coming out to cheer them on as they make their way through Watford and help us lead the way to the Paralympic Games."