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On 7 November 2011  Essex County Council announced the communities on route across the county of Essex through which the London 2012 Olympic Torch will travel on its journey to the Olympic Village in Stratford.

Essex County Council, are proud to welcome the flame to 17 communities in Essex hosting the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, which will pass through the county on the 6 and 7 July 2012.   Residents are invited to come to the host locations on these days to welcome the Olympic Flame and celebrate the achievements of the Torch Bearers.

Over 1,000 villages, towns and cities across the Country have been announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay which is presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

Councillor Stephen Castle, Cabinet Member for the 2012 Games commented:

’ I am thrilled to confirm the communities across Essex through which the Olympic Torch will be making its journey to the Olympic Village. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the passage of the Olympic Torch so close to home as we engage people across the County, building excitement as we countdown to the start of the Games. This is our opportunity to demonstrate how the Olympic Spirit is alive and well in the Essex’.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said:

‘We are thrilled to confirm that the villages and towns of Essex will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people in of Essex to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK. This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across the county to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games’.

The 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.

In announcing the villages, towns and cities LOCOG has realised the aspiration of taking the Olympic Flame to within an hour’s journey time of 95% of the population. In fact, over 95% of the population will be within just 10 miles of the Olympic Flame next summer. The street by street detail of the route will be confirmed next year.

People are invited to view the interactive map to find their nearest community where the Olympic Flame will be carried here www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap.

On the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, it is LOCOG’s intention that the Olympic Flame will travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community. In December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.

Image: Map of the County of Essex communities that will receive the London 2012 Olympic Torch.

 The 17 communites in Essex hosting the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay are:-
Basildon (Basildon)
Brentwood (Brentwood)
Chelmsford (Chelmsford)
Colchester (Colchester)
Grays (Thurrock)
Hadleigh (Castle Point)
Harlow (Harlow)
Hatfield Peverel (Braintree)
Herongate (Brentwood)
Heybridge (Maldon)
Maldon (Maldon)
Newport (Uttlesford)
Rayleigh (Rochford)
Saffron Walden (Uttlesford)
Southend (Southend)
Stansted Mountfitchet (Uttlesford)
Waltham Abbey (Epping Forest) 

The London 2012 Games is the sporting event of our lifetime. During and well after the Games Essex County Councils Essex Legacy Team will inspire the people of Essex to embrace Olympic and Paralympic values; creating a sporting and cultural legacy that will change our county forever. 

Read more about how you can be part of the Essex 2012 Celebrations>>