Olympic fever builds in Crewe (From Crewe Guardian)

Olympic fever builds in Crewe

7:20am Saturday 26th May 2012 in News By Matthew Taylor

EXCITEMENT is building in Crewe with less than a week to go before the Olympic torch parade lights up the town on May 31.

Thousands are expected to line the streets of East Cheshire as the flame passes through, held in relay by various Olympic hopefuls and charity workers.

British record holder of 200m breaststroke Charlotte Bradbury, 16, of Willaston, Nantwich was selected to carry the torch for her work inspiring young people during National School Sport Week.

Also torchbearing is Andrew Fewtrell, 41, of Crewe who founded the Up and Under charity, which funds life changing adventure experiences for underprivileged children.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Lawley, 45, of Crewe who runs a youth club for disabled teenagers will also be handed the flame.

St Mary’s Choir will perform a repertoire of peace songs as the torch passes through the town, including their self penned title ‘One Hundred Days’ – a song marking the ancient Greek tradition of 'Ekecheiria' – Olympic Truce – which was resurrected for 2012 by a UK-led United Nations peace resolution.

The torch route will also feature visual art displays, a samba band, a display of vintage ice cream vans and dancing troupes.

Cheshire East Councillor Rod Menlove, said: “I am certain that the variety of community activities that are taking place along the route will be a real highlight for many of the people that come to watch. They will bring a sense of fun and vibrancy to the event and create a real carnival atmosphere.”

Details of the route:- At approximately 8am the torch convoy will change into torchbearer mode at the junction of Hungerford Road and Coleridge Way.

It will then travel along Hungerford Road into Earle Street, past the municipal buildings, turning left into Market Street pedestrian area before continuing onto Edleston Road, and turning left onto Nantwich Road, passing Crewe railway station.

From there, it will travel past the roundabout onto Crewe Road past MMU Cheshire, and revert into torch convoy mode at Springfield School at around 8.30am.

Cheshire Police are encouraging young people to upload photos and tweet messages of the event @upbeatcheshire or use the hashtag #cheshiretorch Cheshire East Council said road closures were likely to cause disruption to businesses, residents and traffic flow on the day, and advised residents to allow plenty of time for any planned journeys during the morning.

Roads closed between approx 7.00-9.30am:- UY 3059 Hungerford Road A532 Macon Way A532 Vernon Way A532 Earle Street UY 2604 Market Street A5078 Edleston Road A534 Nantwich Road A534 Crewe Green Road

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