The Olympic Torch:

Communities in Felbridge, Godstone and Bletchingley will be able to witness the Olympic Torch as it is carried through the streets. The road details and timings are now available to help residents plan where they might watch the torch being carried through the streets.

Bletchingley – Friday 20 July:

The convoy will travel from Godstone along the A25 and stop at Chevington Villas, Bletchingley at around 1.45pm. Torchbearers will run from there along the A25 High Street and onto Castle Street until they reach Barfields, where the torch will be taken into the convoy. The convoy will continue its journey on the A25 until it reaches Redhill. We have details of the following torchbearers:

Simon Hawkings Age: 46 Hometown: Woking

Coreen Egege Age: 31 Hometown: Ikeja

Hayley Fordham Age: 34 Hometown: Dartford

Mariusz Czerkawski Age: 39 Hometown: Warszawa

The Council will have volunteer stewards to help manage the crowds and will be supported by Surrey Police.

The Big Village Sports Day:

Residents from across the district are invited to welcome the Olympic Flame and take part in The Big Village Sports Day organised by Tandridge Trust. This will be a celebratory sports event and picnic in Grange Meadow, Bletchingley on Friday 20 July starting at 2.30pm and finishing at 4.30pm. The event will be a chance for young and old to try sports they may not have had the chance to try before and enter a special Olympic ring challenge. There will also be opportunity to try ancient Olympic challenges such as pottery and comedy. Tandridge Trust is working with the schools in all three villages before the event, preparing celebratory decorations and exploring the history and legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games through their Only a game? Inspire Mark drama and sports activities.

Travel

Anyone coming to see the Torch Relay is advised to walk, cycle, use public transport or park further away and walk in. There will be traffic disruption and large crowds are expected. The traffic behind the torch will be slowed right down and the traffic travelling in the opposite direction will continue moving, although it is anticipated this traffic will also slow down or even stop to watch. For their safety, spectators should stand on the pavement or grass verge (ideally on the left hand side of the street the Flame is being carried along) and not in the road, or anywhere near the vehicles in the convoy.

Parking

There will be no parking on the route in Godstone from 12.15pm to 2.30pm and in Bletchingley from 12.30pm to 2.30pm, but roads will not be closed. Parking will be limited. Godstone Parish Council is allowing parking on the green (subject to weather) and Knights Garden Centre, Bletchingley Golf Club and Lawrence Auctioneers are opening their car parks up to the public.  We have also been talking to local farmers about allowing parking on their fields.

Torchbearers:

An average of 115 Torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at 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 Torchbearers confirmed to carry the Flame include those that were successful through the public nomination processes run by LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. LOCOG has endeavoured to slot all community Torchbearers within an hour of their nomination address so family and friends can cheer them on. Each Torchbearer will wear a white and gold uniform which been designed by adidas.

Councillor Tony Elias, Chairman of the Community Services Committee, said: “We are delighted to welcome and watch the Olympic Torch Relay. We hope residents will come along to cheer the Torchbearers on their way on both days it is travelling through the area and go on to enjoy the event in Grange Meadow.  ”