News
Almost half a million people turn out to see the Olympic Torch Relay in Essex
7 Jul 2012
In just a day and a half, an estimated 450,000 people took to the streets of Essex to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay to the county. Despite the weather, Essex residents showed their support and cheered on the Torchbearers as the Flame made its way from Colchester on Friday morning to Saffron Walden – its final stop in Essex – on Saturday.
Essex County Councillor Stephen Castle, Cabinet Member for Education, Life Long Learning and the 2012 Games commented: “I am overwhelmed by the support and dedication the communities of Essex have shown as they turned out in the pouring rain to support the Flame on its journey and participated in many local celebratory events. I thank everyone who made the two days in Essex so fantastic – from the volunteers cleaning the towns early in the morning to the local authority staff who have been preparing for this moment for many months. The Olympic spirit is alive and well in the county”
The following figures give a breakdown of the number of people estimated to have watched the Torch in each location across the two day event:
Colchester 50,000
Hatfield Peverel 6,000
Maldon 15,000
Rayleigh 30,000
Southend 80,000
Hadleigh 35,000
Basildon 65,000
Grays 20,000
Brentwood & Herongate 35,000
Chelmsford (inc: Spark will Fly) 36,000
Harlow 20,000
Waltham Abbey 20,000
Stansted Mountfitchet 8,000
Newport 6,000
Saffron Walden 24,000
To share your views on the flame or upload images follow out twitter feed at #essextorchrelay or www.facebook.com/essexcountycouncil
The official Emblems of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd are © 2007. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited. All rights reserved.
Web design by Coast Digital