On Friday July 6th, as the clouds drew darker, crowds of spectators stood in Hadleigh town centre awaiting the Olympic torch – including the Hadleigh.net team. Luckily as torchbearer Paul Mears appeared with the golden Olympic torch, the sky cleared and the sun came out, allowing those of us present to watch the Olympic relay in glorious sunshine.
Thousands of supporters gathered in Hadleigh waiting in suspense for the torch to light up the town. With horns blowing and hands waving, Hadleigh came to life and there wasn’t a dreary expression in sight.
After making its way through Hadleigh high street, the torch continued along the A13 on route to the Hadleigh Farm Olympic Mountain Bike Venue. Torchbearer Paul Mears brought the flame to the grand stand on show of special guests including local public figures and 450 local school children.
The torch was then passed to Dan Jarvis for a circuit around the Mountain Bike Track. He told a BBC reporter: “To get to ride the course I never thought I’d be able to do that, to get to hold the torch I didn’t think I’d get to do that. To do them both together is amazing.”
Local residents and retailers were thrilled to be a part of the Olympic torch relay, Hadleigh.net employees Rosie Bocking and Samantha Benson said: “It was a beautiful, patriotic experience that I look forward to sharing with my Grandchildren. Never before have I felt so proud to be British” and “I was really surprised and impressed! I thought the relay was very exciting.”
If you would like to see more pictures of the Olympic torch in Hadleigh please click here.
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