Just Two Days to Go - Olympic Torch Coming to Bedford Borough on Sunday Morning!

We're just two days away from the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Bedford Borough. At 9.32am on Sunday morning (yes, the scheduling really is intended to be that precise!), the torch is due to set off from Goldington Green, from where it will travel down Barkers Lane, briefly stopping off at Bedford International Athletics Stadium. It will then continue to the Embankment, across Town Bridge, down London Road and finish on Harrowden Road at 10.48am. It will then be taken to Cotton End where it will arrive at High Road at 10.52am and travel through Cotton End before leaving the borough.

There is information about all of the torchbearers locally on the London 2012 website, here. As you will see, there are inspirational local people involved and they all deserve a big cheer as the torch runs through our streets on Sunday. To take just one example from a remarkable group of people, 84-year old Iva Barr is a Bedford Harrier who is still competing and enjoying her running. I have met her on a number of occasions and her infectious enthusiasm and tremendous support for charities and for younger runners is truly remarkable. Katie Campling, who is pictured here between Cllr Doug McMurdo and I, is another torchbearer whose charitable work is breathtaking, and I do recommend reading her story via the link above.

So let's hope for some reasonable weather, but whatever it has in store for us, I'm sure there will be a tremendous crowd out to experience this once in a lifetime event in Bedford Borough. There are plenty of excellent spots for viewing along the route, and for more information including a map of the route, see the Council's website here. The website includes information about the road closures and parking options for Sunday.

There is plenty more action to come in Bedford on Sunday after the relay has passed through, too. The Bedford Sprint Regatta, which features crews from across the country competing in high quality races on the river between Town Bridge and Newnham Avenue. There is also an under-17's athletics competition taking place at Bedford International Athletic Stadium.

At lunchtime I will be at Rutland Road to witness the unveiling of a Heritage Plaque to mark the birthplace of a true Olympic icon and great Bedfordian, Harold Abrahams. Abrahams won gold in the 100 metres at the 1924 Olympic Games and is the hero of the Oscar winning film "Chariots of Fire", and I am delighted that his birthplace is being commemorated in this way.

Before all of this, and prior to the torch relay coming through, I will be starting a schools torch relay run for schoolchildren from Borough Schools by Russell Park along the route, which should be another fantastic opportunity for local children to experience a taste of the Olympics here in Bedford. Let's hope for a great day for everyone to enjoy.