Gosport going for gold to welcome the Olympic torch
OLYMPIC fever is stirring in Gosport as community leaders urge people to get involved in this summer’s torch relay.
The Olympic torch will pass through Fareham and Gosport on its way to Portsmouth.
Now, more than 150 people have met to come up with ideas on how to welcome it to the town.
Organisers of the Gosport Going 4 Gold campaign want to hold an event in Walpole Park to mark the torch’s arrival.
Shopkeepers will be encouraged to decorate their stores and Gosport High Street could be covered in paper chains made by residents. If the torch is taken to Portsmouth across the harbour, there could even be a mini flotilla of ships to go with it.
Jacky Charman, who helped organise the torch discussion, said: ‘The atmosphere at the meeting was electric – it really was fantastic.
‘We had more than 150 people turn up.
‘The room was decorated in gold and it looked great.
‘The feeling was of excitement and that something great was going to happen.
‘The important thing is that we want individuals to get involved in any way they can.
‘I’d like to say a big thank you to Hampshire County Council and Gosport Borough Council who have both been very helpful to us throughout the whole thing.’
The torch will arrive in Fareham on July 15 before going to Gosport, through Bridgemary.
The torch will then cross to Portsmouth, possibly on a ferry, for a celebration in the city.
Details of the exact route are being kept under wraps until eight weeks before the event.
Because the torch is not passing through the north of Hampshire, it is hoped Gosport could see an influx of visitors on the day.
Brian Russell, the vice chairman of Gosport Community Events, said: ‘Some of these ideas will see Gosport become a sea of red, white, blue and gold in July.
‘The session clearly illustrated the great enthusiasm with which Gosport is embracing the torch.
‘Gosport should give a large vote of thanks to Jacky Charman for her efforts in securing the torch coming to Gosport.
‘There is little doubt the borough will celebrate this once in a lifetime occasion with great enthusiasm.’
For more information or to get involved, search for Gosport Going 4 Gold on Facebook.
You can contact Mr Russell on (023) 9258 4371.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 12 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
The Gosport One
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 04:44 PMWho will be paying for the stewards along the route ?
liverpoolboy
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 07:31 PM@7 That is so predictable from you. Grow up?
liverpoolboy
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 07:17 PM@2+7, So they should its my bloody money they are wasting!!
MrOliver
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 02:32 PMThe Gosport One @ 6. Are you sure it isn't the 'original' Olympic Torch? Surely there is only one Olympic Torch touring the country? It would be a bit of a swizz if Gosport got a fake?
Gosport lad in exile
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 01:59 PMI think it's brilliant news. All the people responsible for bringing it to the town should give them a pat on the back.
Alverman
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 12:54 PMAs Gosport View has stated, the Lib Dems leader wants to scupper the Olympic torch, cancel the Queens Diamond Jubilee, totally ignore the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands war and those who fought and died for their country and then he would impose impossible rental costs on the Waterfront Festival. Don't they make you proud. I hear that Cheggers has now to have some extra training following his spat with Smiffy. Keep your guard up next time.
The Gosport One
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 10:57 AMIts only a torch and not even the original one.. Bah humbug
rickey
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 09:14 PMForton Wreck - www.facebook.com(forward slash)GosportGoing4Gold
Forton Wreck
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 05:53 PMI searched for "Gosport going 4 gold" on facebook. It gave me nothing.
Flying bull
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 03:40 PMOLYMPIC fever? ‘The atmosphere is electric! Great enthusiasm, Once in a lifetime.Shopkeepers will be encouraged to decorate their stores. WHAT STORES?
Gosport View
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 02:37 PMYet the fun loving Liberal Democrats at Gosport's budget meeting on 1 February sought to remove the money allocated to fund the arrangements for the Olympic Torch coming through Gosport!
MrOliver
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 09:33 AMIt will be fantastic to have the Olympic Torch coming through Gosport and Bridgemary where I live. I hope all the plans to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime occasion will be fully supported by the local populace and all our council leaders of all parties.
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