South Kesteven

The Olympic Torch will travel through Grantham on Thursday 28th June 2012, between approximately 3.00pm and 4.30pm, Stamford on Tuesday 3rd July 2012, between approximately 4.30pm and 5.30pm, and Market Deeping, Thurlby and Bourne on Wednesday 4th July 2012, between approximately 8.00am and 9.30am.

South Kesteven District Council are encouraging people to line the streets and get involved with the Olympic Torch Relay as it travels through the district.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Market Deeping  (8:08 am)

Thurlby  (8:27 am)

Bourne  (8:53 am)

Olympic Torch Relay FAQs – South Kesteven

Where are the best places to see the torch relay when it is in South Kesteven?

The Olympic Torch is on its way to five communities in our district.

The first port of call in South Kesteven is Grantham on Thursday June 28 and it returns to visit Stamford on July 3 and Market Deeping, Thurlby and Bourne on July 4.

The torch relay hits Grantham on Day 41 of the national tour. It goes into torch-bearer mode at 15.10, entering Grantham via Manthorpe Road, before moving on to Castlegate, Avenue Road, High Street, Watergate, and onto Barrowby Road before leaving Grantham via the A52.

The Stamford leg begins onTinwell Road at 16.45pm, before moving on to West Street, Scotgate, Red Lion Square, High Street, Brazenose Lane, St Leonard’s Street, Wharf Road, High Street St Martin, and finally along Barnack Road to Burghley House before rejoining the A1 for Wansford.

The following day – Day 47 – the torch will visit Market Deeping, Thurlby and Bourne.

The torch relay starts in Market Deeping at 08.08, before moving to Lincoln Road onto Church St, Halfleet before leaving on the Peterborough road. So you’ll need to be up early.

It reaches Thurlby from the A15 at 08:29, before travelling along the High Street onto Northorpe Lane, through Northorpe and on to Bourne.

In Bourne the torch relay resumes at 08.53 on South Road, before moving on to Spalding Road and leaving the town via the A151.

The Council is trying to ensure that as many people as possible have a good view of the Torch. If you have a disability or a specific need, or know someone who does, please email us atpr@southkesteven.gov.uk and we will try to help

Are there any events along the torch route?

A Taste of the Nations event will be held in Grantham (28 June) and Stamford (3 July) where local people will get the chance to sample food from a host of different countries including England, Italy, India, Poland, USA, Portugal, Greece and Jamaica.

This will be a fantastic opportunity for local people to get to know more about the people who make up our community. They will be cooking national dishes as well as wearing national dress so this will be an experience not to miss.

We are working with Cook Connect to organise the event and are planning to have lots of flags and music from the different countries taking part, so it will be a great occasion.

Other attractions include music from Woven Chords, a community choir from Stamford, Olympic themed dance routines by Welland School of Dance in Stamford and the Elite School of Dance in Grantham, sports exhibitions, music and live reports from Lincs FM, street entertainers and teams from presenting partners Samsung, Coca Cola and Lloyds will be joining in the action.

Which roads are closed and when?

Road Closure Times have been confirmed by the Police and LCC Highways. They are as follows:

• Grantham: 3pm – 5 pm
• Bourne: 8am – 9.40am
• Thurlby 8am – 9am
• Market Deeping 7.40am – 8.40am
• Stamford 3.30pm – 5.30pm

What time should I get to my spot to see the Torch?

We recommend getting to your vantage point at least one hour before the relay is due to arrive regardless of where you are on the route.

How long will I get to see the torch go past?

The Olympic Torch will be carried for around 300 metres by each of the Torchbearers, who will jog or walk at a pace to allow the crowds to see it. The Torch convoy will take approximately 10 minutes to pass by one spot.

Who is carrying the torch and when?

Eight thousand inspirational Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Torch on its journey around Britain, with each person carrying the Torch for around 300 metres. For more details see the Torchbearers section on this page.

Are there any other Olympic themed events?

A display to commemorate the sporting achievements of two former Olympic champions will be staged in Grantham’s Guildhall during the run up to the London Games.

Medals, photographs and clothing belonging to the Late Alastair McCorquodale and Barry Dagger will be exhibited in the ballroom from mid June onwards.

Alastair McCorquodale , who lived at Little Ponton Hall, Stoke Rochford, represented Britain in the 1948 Olympics where he was denied a bronze medal in the 100m final by a photo finish, but won a silver medal in the 4×100 relay.

Members of the relay team had briefly thought they might have won until a disputed judge’s decision about a handover by one of the winning Americans was confirmed as incorrect two days later.

Shooting ace Barry Dagger (known affectionately to many as Dag) competed in the Montreal Games in 1976 but it wasn’t until the summer of 1984 that he hit form and was awarded the bronze medal in the Men’s Air Rifle, 10m at the Los Angeles Games.

Born and bred in Grantham, Barry, who is now 74, and lives in Ventnor Avenue, said it was one of the best moments of his life.

Barry, who retired from the sport in 1988, competed in the GB squad for over 17 years , winning the World Championships for eight of those years. He has cases full of medals and a special NSRA Gold Medal for services to coaching.