We are delighted to announce that the London 2012 Olympic Torch is coming to Cirencester on Wednesday, 23 May!

On 27 July 2012, the eyes of the world will be on London for the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games as the Olympic Flame arrives to light the cauldron in the new stadium.

In the build up to the start of what will be the 30 modern Olympiad, the Flame will be transported from its traditional home in Greece and is due to arrive in the UK on 18 May 2012. Representing peace, unity and friendship, the Flame will then start a 70-day journey around the UK, carried by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers, before it finally reaches the stadium.

Cotswold District Council will be coordinating arrangements for the passage of the Olympic Torch through the district. The Olympic Torch Relay will reach the Cotswolds on Wednesday 23rd May when torchbearers will carry the flame through Cirencester at approximately 3.45 p.m.

Cirencester Town Council will be actively involved in the Olympic Torch Relay and will be providing music throughout the day from 10am-4pm in the Abbey Grounds, with local bands providing the entertainment. The Town Council is encouraging the public to come along to relax and enjoy the music with a bite to eat before the big event. There will be a catering van on site, a First Aid and Lost and Found centre in the Bingham Gallery & Conference Suite, at 1 Dyer Street and there will also be an ambulance on site in case of emergency.  Marshalls will be around all day to help and guide you.

The Town Council highly recommends getting into Cirencester as early as possible to avoid delays, and to capitalise on all the events laid on for the Torch Relay.

So come and join in the celebrations as relay runners carry the Torch along London Road, Lewis Lane, South Way and North Way before entering the Market Place and then onto Castle Street and finally Sheep Street.

The Mayor of Cirencester, Councillor Andrew Lichnowski, said:

“This is a great honour for the town and I am sure there will be a very good turn-out for this fabulous opportunity to see the torch close up and share in the Olympic spirit.”

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said:

“We are thrilled to confirm that Cirencester and Chipping Campden will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people in the Cotswolds 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 Cotswolds 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.”

Find out all you need to know about the Games at www.london2012.com