YES! The Olympic Torch is coming HOME to Much Wenlock
Much Wenlock, home of the Wenlock Olympian Games, has been confirmed as one of the Shropshire locations the Olympic Torch will pass through on its way to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The visit will take place on Wednesday 30 May 2012.
This prestigious honour further cements Much Wenlock’s place in the heritage of the Olympic Games and the significant role Dr. William Penny Brookes played in the founding of the modern international Olympics.
Much Wenlock’s local doctor and philanthropist William Penny Brookes established the Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850 – the forerunner of the current modern Olympics. Whilst pursuing his own Olympian games in Wenlock, Brookes was also determined to see his vision translated to a wider, international stage. He campaigned vigorously and was in contact with the organisers of the Olympian Games in Athens.
Brookes shared his vision with Baron de Coubertin who visited Much Wenlock and was inspired by what Brookes had achieved. This wealthy and influential French aristocrat went on to form the International Olympic Congress and the first Games of the modern Olympics took place in Athens in 1896 – the ultimate realisation of Brookes’ lifelong dream.
The idyllic town’s inclusion in the Torch Relay is the latest nod to its historic part in the Olympics from the London 2012 organisers. Already, the mascot for the Olympic Games has been named Wenlock in honour of the town and the mascot visited the town’s annual Wenlock Olympian Games in 2010.
The Olympic Torch’s visit to Much Wenlock is largely a result of the hard work by members of the Wenlock Olympian Society. Formed by Brookes in 1850 the Society maintains an extensive archive of Wenlock Olympian artefacts and continues to organise the annual Wenlock Olympian Games.
Helen Cromarty from the Wenlock Olympian Society said: “We are very proud that the Torch relay will honour William Penny Brookes by coming to Much Wenlock. The Torch’s arrival will be a fantastic cause for celebration of the town’s connection to the modern international Olympics.
“The sports events of our own Wenlock Olympian Games are held in July each year. They take place on seven sites across Shropshire with the town as the central venue, so this historic moment will add something very special to our own Games.”
It’s not just the legacy of Dr. William Penny Brookes that makes Shropshire synonymous with the Olympic Games, but the fact that the designer of the London 2012 Olympic Torch, Edward Barber, was born and studied in Shrewsbury. Edward’s design incorporates 8,000 perforated circles to represent each inspirational story of every individual torchbearers.
The Olympic Torch will arrive from Olympia, Greece in Britain on Wednesday 18 May 2012. The famous flame will then pass through towns, cities and villages throughout the country, showcasing British communities at their best. It will arrive in Much Wenlock on 30 May. More details will be announced in due course.
After a 70-day tour, the Torch will finally arrive at its destination in London, the weekend before the Games start.
With origins in Ancient Greece, the Olympic Torch represents the story of the theft of fire from the Ruler of Mount Olympus, Zeus. However, Carl Diem was to introduce the concept of the relay much later in the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam. The legendary Olympic flame has become a renowned symbol for the modern Olympics, with the relay now signalling the start of the Games.
In addition to Much Wenlock the Torch will pass through the Shropshire communities of Ludlow, Clee Hill and Cleobury Mortimer (on 24 May) and Oswestry, Pant, Llanymynech, Shrewsbury, Cressage, and through the old Borough of Wenlock including Benthall and Broseley before proceeding to Ironbridge (on 30 May).
For information about the Wenlock Olympian Society please visit www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk
For information about Much Wenlock visit www.muchwenlockguide.info