Throwing a little light on Olympic torch procedure (From Ilkley Gazette)

Throwing a little light on Olympic torch procedure

10:29am Thursday 22nd March 2012 in Opinion/Letters

At first glance there’s something bizarre about the way people have been chosen to have the honour of being a torchbearer in the relay run up to the Olympic Games.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games selected the carriers who were nominated by members of the public.

It is the location given to those selected which has raised a few eyebrows.

It seems the names went into ‘a hat’ and they were given a relay route within an hour’s drive of their home.

That said – it is wrong to look on the negative side – as a number of people from our area have been given the great accolade of being a torchbearer.

They have come from all walks of life and backgrounds. One special local celebration is the choice of Margaret Cook, 74, a former nurse who has dedicated her life to serving others, Her relay leg will actually be in Ilkley when it passes through the town on June 24.

No pun intended but there were bound the be winners and losers in the organisation of this memorable event.

It is a shame that a bid by MP Kris Hopkins and others to get the route of the torch through Ilkley changed has come to nought.

The hope was that the slight diversion would allow more people to see it and help boost the Rotary Club’s efforts on the Grove.

But so be it, now let’s move forward and embrace the day.

Addingham didn’t even get a look in. The torch will be driven along the bypass, not carried by a runner.

Not to be outdone the Civic Society is now making plans for its own torch procession on the day. What a good idea.