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Thursday, 2 March, 2017
11 July 2012
IT WAS Newbury’s time to shine.
Even an hour before the torch
arrived, crowds thronged
Northbrook Street, three and
four deep, while schoolchildren
banged drums and waved flags.
Police motorcyclists grinned and
touched the outstretched hands
of youngsters lining the route.
Then came the last outriders
and, finally, the torch.
Newbury MP Richard Benyon,
who was among the crowd, said
later: “It was electrifying. The
hairs on the back of my neck
stood up. Newbury is an
exceptional town and this was
Newbury at its best.”
Gillian Coles and Susan Smith
from Newbury, who took the day
off work at Berkshire Sensory
Consortium Service, both agreed
the relay was a “once-in-a-life-
time event”.
Employees from Bayer in
Newbury took time out to
witness the relay, including
Emma Fountain, Angela May,
Catherine Salt and Matt Willis.
Mr Willis said: “This really is a
major event for the town and it’s
quite an experience to witness it
first hand”
Neil Tomlinson, the general
manager at the Red House pub
restaurant, Marsh Benham: “It’s
a big day for the town and the
turnout is incredible.”
Imogen Frazer, the event
manager at The Chequers Hotel,
Newbury, said: “I’ve taken the
day off because I think it’s
important to support the town
we love and work in and this is a
fantastic event.”
Jade Foster, from Speen, took
daughter Jezzabell, aged five, to
witness the relay.
She said: “I hope it’s something
she’ll remember for the rest of
her life.”
Karen Saunders from Greenham
said: “It’s way better than I
expected – lots of razzamatazz
and a real party atmosphere.”
Joy Cooper, also from Greenham,
agreed: “It’s a fantastic
atmosphere – and I’ve never seen
such happy police officers! It’s
lovely to see all the generations
come together, from little
children to grandparents.”
Pattie Mhlanga, from Newbury,
brought son Benjamin, aged 11
months, while her friend Irene
Pettit took two-and-a-half-year-
old daughter Ellie.
Ms Pettit said: “I hope the
children will remember this day
and say ‘I was there’.”
The licensee of The Monument
in Northbrook Street, Neal
Anderson, passed out free bacon
sandwiches and the sun lifted
spirits along the route.
After the historic relay, families
packed into Market Place to
watch stilt walkers and urban
sports such as skateboarding and
stunt cycling, while others
picnicked and carried on the
party in Victoria Park.
2012: Olympic torch lights up Newbury
The crowds lined the streets to watch the Olympic tor
ch be ng carried through Newbur
y, ith Clare Balding leading the way
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