Olympic fever is building in Clydebank’s schools as they work to get ready for the visit of the Games’ famous Torch.
The Torch makes a once-in-a-generation visit to the area on Saturday June 9 and inspired by the journey of the famous flame, pupils at Clydebank and St Peter the Apostle high schools are designing their own torches, which will be relayed through every one of their feeder primary schools. The primaries will use the torches to ‘open’ their school sports days.
Andrew McKay, the manager of West Dunbartonshire Council’s Active Schools programme, said: “The visit of the Olympic Flame is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are working with all schools to ensure pupils are engaged with the London Olympic Games. Torch Relays will be a great way of involving pupils directly to make them feel part of the celebrations, raise awareness and generate excitement about London 2012.”
As part of the project, primary pupils will also be designing a bunting triangle based on the seven Olympic and Paralympic values of: Respect, Excellence, Friendship, Courage, Determination, Inspiration and Equality. These will then be strung together and used for the torch relay.
The journey of the official torch is highly detailed as organisers attempt to bring the flame to within easy-reach of every community in Britain. Clydebank and Bearsden were selected as the areas of north-west Greater Glasgow best placed to host foot relays – representing the East and West Dunbartonshire authorities while also allowing residents of Glasgow City Council’s Drumchapel, Knightswood, Yoker and Scotstoun districts to see the flame up close.
At 8:16am on Saturday June 9 torchbearers will begin running through Bearsden, before the flame arrives for the Clydebank leg of the relay at 8.42am. Starting at Hardgate’s Glasgow Road and travelling by foot down to the Kilbowie Roundabout, a large vehicle convoy will then move the flame to Drumry Road, before torchbearers carry it along Drumry Road and Kilbowie Road. Olympic floats with music and performers will add to the occasion.
Ronnie Dinnie, head of neighbourhood services at West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “I am delighted that the Olympic Torch will be passing through Clydebank and Dumbarton. This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay, and I hope as many local people as possible will get into the spirit of things and join in the fun.”
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