Chasing The Torch

The flame makes its way through York City Centre

Over the past two weeks I have enjoyed two bites at seeing the Olympic Torch as it entered and re-entered God's own county. Firstly on 18th June it passed through York City Centre, where Sam and I waited for nearly two hours to see it. After attempting to hi-fi several policemen on motorbikes the cavalcade finally arrived, sadly tinged with the smell of blatant advertising through two floats of a well known soft drink and bank pumping out er.. One Direction Songs. The torchbearer was a young 16 year old lad who seemed jolly pleased to be one of the 8000 torchbearers up and down the country. What a turnout in the city centre for what for many was a once in a lifetime experience. The anticipation of seeing the torch really brought it home that the greatest show on earth was coming to my country and it might never come again during my lifetime. Blink and you would have missed it, but I am glad that I waited them two hours in the sunshine to witness a piece of history.

The torch passing Harlech Avenue in Beeston

The second occasion I encountered the torch was one week later on Monday 25th June as it came to Beeston, Leeds. I woke up at 8am, at my girlfriend's house, to the sound of the aforementioned sponsored floats and the sound of One Direction again.. I knew the torch was on it's way! I threw on some clothes and ran down the street to witness the torch coming up Tempest Road in Beeston to the Hamara Centre, where it would be exchanged and carry on its merry way to Wakefield, t'Barnsley and finally Sheffield. The streets once again were filled with people wishing to see this event including many children on their way to school, something they will no doubt remember for the rest of their lives.

The torch on Tempest Road, Beeston