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City Council confirms the streets the Olympic Flame will be carried along

Details of the inspirational Torchbearers selected to carry the flame in Nottingham have also started to be revealed.

Residents are invited to welcome the Olympic Flame to their street, celebrate the achievements of the inspirational Torchbearers who will run in their community and share in the excitement of the Olympic Torch Relay.

The streets along the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, which can be viewed in full at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay, gives street-by-street details and proposed start times for when the Olympic Flame will travel through Nottingham. Residents living in and around Nottingham can find out when it will be travelling along their nearest high street, through their town square or past their local corner shop.

The Torchbearers confirmed to carry the Flame through Nottingham today 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 has been designed by adidas.

Councillor Dave Trimble Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Customers at Nottingham City Council, said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Nottingham people and visitors alike to see the Olympic Flame and witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay. We are looking forward to welcoming the inspirational torchbearers to our community. The announcement really brings the route to life and will encourage people to get involved by lining the streets."

The torch will enter Nottingham at 5.55pm on Thursday 28 June, passing through the National Ice Centre as part of an Ice Skating Gala event before it arrives in the Old Market Square as part of the evening celebration event which takes place between 5pm - 7.30pm.

The following day sees the torch set off from Nottingham Castle at 8.14am, passing Nottingham's famous Robin Hood statue as it makes its way out of the city.

Nottingham City Council is working with LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the Relay - Coca Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung - to host the evening celebration event. Details of the show and exciting acts will be released over the next few months.

The Council has also commissioned Dance4 and Lakeside Arts Centre to produce two 10 minute performances that will feature prominently during the evening celebrations, showcasing local talent.

Cllr Trimble added: "Preparations for our evening celebration are well underway and we hope that people will also join us to celebrate the flame's arrival in the Old Market Square on 28 June."

Sylvia Oates, Chief Executive of We Are Nottingham, said: "The Nottingham Leisure and Retail BIDs are excited by the opportunity of the Olympic Torch and evening celebrations being staged in the heart of Nottingham. This will complement our ongoing activities to attract people to Nottingham City Centre as well as showcasing the vibrancy and fantastic offer the city provides.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG added: 'Today we bring the Olympic Torch Relay to life. The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets. Now the people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the Torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might celebrate and make it Nottingham's moment to shine.'

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.

Local torchbearer case studies

Barry O'Dowd set up and runs the Bulwell Hall Boxing Club, which has been running for about 2 years in its current location. Barry used to run the boxing club from a local pub, but worked hard and campaigned to anyone who would listen to save the Totley Close community centre from being knocked down. Barry was successful in his efforts to save the centre and managed to get large numbers of young people from the local estate to join the club, instilling discipline and confidence in the people he works with. The club is full to capacity and Barry ensures that sessions are delivered six days a week.

He is trusted by both parents and youngsters and works tirelessly for his community alongside local agencies to help tackle antisocial behaviour (which has significantly reduced on the estate since the boxing club was set up). Barry has been successful in attracting world class athletes like Carl Froch to the club to inspire and train with young people.

As a result of Barry's hard work, local young people have enjoyed competing in national sporting competitions, and have been exposed to new experiences that they might not have encountered otherwise. Barry has been known to make exceptions for youngsters whose families are not able to pay the weekly subs, as he is committed to supporting those who are in greatest need.
Barry said "I was totally unaware that I had been nominated to be a torch bearer, but after the initial excitement I felt over the moon and extremely honoured to have been selected."

Born in Nottingham, Barbara Green has lived on the Clifton Estate since 1961 and has always been involved in her local community.

When her boys were younger, Barbara became a parent volunteer at Swansdown Infants followed by Milford Junior school. Barbara also ran a Girls Brigade Company at the local Methodist Church for many years and was the secretary for the Clifton Carnival Committee as well as helping to set up the Clifton Comets Motorcycle Club.

Having volunteered for 6 years at Brinkhill Primary she moved to Farnborough Secondary School where she was offered the support teacher role that she currently holds.

She started running a Duke of Edinburgh project at the school in her own time, providing additional sessions for young people with special educational needs. She also runs a session at Green Lane Youth Club providing access to all elements of the award at very little cost to the young people. Barbara often pays for residents out of her own pocket to ensure young people get the opportunities they deserve.

After being involved with the D of E for three years, Barbara set up the special needs group 7 yrs ago when she realised there was a gap for this kind of activity on the estate. This has been followed by a Gold Open group set up 6 yrs ago as there wasn't anything of this nature in Clifton. The open group now takes young people from other areas of the city. Over this period Barbara has helped approximately 200 young people to gain D of E awards including 7 attaining the gold standard.

"My initial reaction on hearing the news was "Why me? I'm only doing what I love doing", says Barbara. "Since then reality has set in and I consider it to be an honour to represent Nottingham in a once in a lifetime achievement that can never be equalled. I am proud to be a resident of Nottingham."

The torch relay and evening celebrations form part of the Nottingham's Game On programme, a series of events, activities and special offers which aim to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Games here in Nottingham, get more people involved in the sporting and cultural offer whilst raising awareness of the city's sporting and cultural excellence. For more information go to www.mynottingham.gov.uk/gameon

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