Olympic Torch Route announced

As residents know, Wychavon has the Olympic Torch passing through the district and the Council is making arrangements for celebratory events in key locations.

Today (19 March), the street level announcement has been made.  Residents can now find out where the torch will be going should they want to line the streets and welcome the Torch and cheer on Torchbearers.

In Droitwich, Evesham and Broadway, Wychavon District Council will be organising events and providing stages for our W-Factor winners to perform for the crowds that will gather to witness this historic event.

Farmers’ markets will showcase local produce and local sporting groups will demonstrate their skills and give those attending the opportunity to try out a new sport - in keeping with the spirit of the Olympics.

Details can be found here.

Councillor Ron Davis, Board Member for Community and Personal Health and Welfare, said: “We’re working with local community groups to make the celebrations for the Olympic Torch something to remember. This is a momentous occasion and we hope that residents will come out in their hundreds to enjoy the spectacle and share a special day with family and friends in true Olympic spirit style.”

With Torch Bearers being announced the length and breadth of the country, Wychavon District Council spoke to one local runner who epitomises the courage and the spirit of Olympic athletes the world over.

Chris Bond, from Malvern, has been chosen to run with the Olympic Torch in Fernhill Heath on 24 May.

Chris has been a runner since the age of eleven and he competed all throughout his school and University life. His professional career curtailed his competitive running, but he continued his daily runs even when abroad on business. In the last seven years Chris has become a mentor and role model for his three nephews, who lost their dad to an adult version of cot death. One of his close friends was also diagnosed as having terminal cancer; Chris has been most supportive to him and spends many hours in his company helping his friend to achieve personal goals.

During this time, Chris’ father was diagnosed as having terminal cancer. Chris made his dad's life as easy and comfortable as he could, eventually taking him to live with him in the countryside.

After his father's death, Chris was then informed following his own medical examinations that he had a 4.2kg tumour in his stomach that could only be operated on by a top surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Because of his condition Chris lost a kidney, but made a quicker than normal recovery due to his very good level of physical fitness. This was mostly due to the daily runs that have been a foundation block in his life. Sadly, his tumour returned and Chris underwent more major surgery in January 2012. 

Despite all this, Chris is determined to get well enough to carry the Olympic Torch.

In selecting Chris, the organisers of the Olympic Torch Relay commented: “To carry the torch would be a deserving honour for Chris - a runner who believes in the Olympic ideals. His family are justly proud of Chris, who is always there for friends and family, especially his mum, whom he took on a holiday of a lifetime to South Africa.”

Chris said: "Having dreamed of being an Olympic athlete ever since I was a boy, I am thrilled and humbled to be given the opportunity to run the Olympic Torch Relay and have a part in what I believe is ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’.  Following my latest cancer surgery, participating in the relay provides an inspirational focus for my determination to recover and get fit enough to run again."

A quick look at the key dates when the Olympic Torch will be in Wychavon:

• 24 May – Droitwich Spa and Fernhill Heath.  Arrives Droitwich Spa (Ombersley Way/Little Hill) at 17:43 & departs Droitwich Spa at 18:15.  Arrives Fernhill Heath (Droitwich Road/Post Office Lane) at 18:20 & departs Fernhill Heath at 18:34.
  
• 1 July – Evesham, Wickhamford and Broadway.  Arrives Evesham/Simon de Montfort Drive at 11:21 & departs Evesham at 11:55.  Arrives Wickhamford/Wayside Farm Shop at 12:01 & departs Wickhamford at 12:07.  Arrives Broadway/Station Road at 12:10 & departs Broadway at 12:30.

A map with locations and times is available below:

Droitwich to Worcester Map PDF

Evesham PDF