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The Olympic Torch Comes to Torbay

Author: Beverley Holidays
Date: Thursday 22nd March 2012

Torbay Council has announced the official Olympic torch relay route for London 2012. Torbay has the longest stretch of route in the South West with the most torchbearers. The Olympic Flame will pass through Paignton and Torquay on Sunday 20 May 2012.

Torbay's Mayor Gordon Oliver said: "It is wonderful that the residents of Torbay and members of our surrounding communities will have the opportunity to see the Olympic Flame and witness this historic moment in time. The announcement of the street route really brings the Torch Relay to life and will encourage people to get involved by lining the streets. Congratulations to Barbara for being selected as one of the 47 inspirational torchbearers, who will have the honour of carrying the Olympic Flame along the route. We are looking forward to welcoming all the torchbearers to the Bay and cheering as they pass through the streets of Paignton and Torquay. We will be working with local communities to ensure that we create a real buzz on the day. There will also be the opportunity to join in a number of different sporting activities taking place on and around Torre Abbey Meadow including a mass Zumbathon, free running, football, spinning and sailing”.

Chosen Torchbearer, Foster Carer Barbara Lambswood, Mother of our Restaurant Manager Katherine, was nominated by the mother of one her fostered children, Jean Thomas. "Barbara is an inspiration who does not look for reward and this is why she would be perfect to carry the Olympic Torch. For the past 10 years Barbara has been a loving foster carer to our son Joseph now age 12, who has complex mental and physical disabilities.

"The loving care with which Barbara and her family have looked after Joseph and welcomed him into their home has been inspirational. Their support for Joseph has never wavered even during times when he has been unwell and in hospital, Barbara has slept at his bedside.

"Barbara always has Joseph's best interests at heart and he has grown through her care to be a happy and healthy young man. The fact that Barbara and her family also foster other young children in need is further proof of what an exceptional caring family they are.

"In fact they all deserve to carry the Olympic Torch. Barbara and her exceptional family are truly inspirational and the most amazing thing is, I don't think they fully realise their achievements. There is no one I can think of who deserves to carry the Olympic Torch more than Barbara."

Torbay Torchbearer, Barbara Lambswood, said:

"I am very honoured and humbled to be running in the official London 2012 Torch Relay. I am representing fostering and the town of Paignton - where I was born and bred."

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 Torbay's moment to shine.'

Paignton and Torquay are two of over 1,000 villages, towns and cities announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, which is presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

Paignton
•14:40: Totnes Rd (A385)
•15:21: Torquay Rd (A3022)
Torquay
•15:42: Torbay Rd (A3022)
•15:53: Rathmore Rd (A3022)
•15:57: Falkland Rd (A3022)
•16:19: Torre Abbey
•16:25: Falkland Rd (A3022)
•16:27: Rathmore Rd (A3022)
•16:31: Torbay Rd (A379)
•16:42: Cary Parade (A379)
•16:45: Torwood Street (A379)
•16:46: Babbacombe Rd (A379)
•17:17: Fore Street (A379)
•17:18: St Marychurch Rd (A379)

Click here to view the Torbay Olympic Torch route in detail