Residents of Bath and surrounding areas can nominate their local heroes to be part of the celebrations for the Paralympic Games.
The Council is looking for eight inspirational Lantern Bearers to carry the Paralympic Lantern through Bath on Saturday 25 August 2012 for the city’s Paralympic Flame Celebration.
Successful nominees will have displayed the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality to make a difference or push the boundaries of what is achievable.
The chosen eight will lead a 2,000m Lantern Relay – exchanging the Lantern from one person to the next – in front of the Rio Carnival Procession leading into the Recreation Ground.
The Lantern will then be handed to ParalympicGB’s Flame Ambassador and double-gold medallist Steve Brunt MBE who will place it on the stage at the Recreation Ground for the duration of the Paralympic Flame Celebration.
Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Council and Member Champion for the Paralympics, will join Steve Brunt MBE in collecting the Lantern from the Paralympic Flame lighting ceremony in London’s Trafalgar Square on 24 August
Cllr Crossley said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is proud to host the Flame Celebration and we’re delighted that we can organise our own Paralympic Lantern Relay through Bath on Saturday 25 August. We encourage people to nominate any inspirational local heroes who have lightened up their lives – whether family, friends or colleagues – so they may join in the celebrations as our Lantern Bearers.”
People nominated to be a Paralympic Lantern Bearer should be over 12 years of age, be available on Saturday 25 August and either be:
- a resident of Bath and North East Somerset
- attend a school and/or community group within Bath and North East Somerset
- an active volunteer within Bath and North East Somerset.
Nominations should be received no later than 12 noon on Friday 20 July 2012. Nominations should be sent to:
Lynda Deane
London 2012 Lead Officer
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Sport and Active Lifestyles Team
Lewis House
Manvers Street
Bath BA1 1JG
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 01225 396459
Tel: 01225 396428
The nominations will be considered by Councillor Paul Crossley, Councillor David Dixon, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, and Lynda Deane, the Council’s London 2012 Lead Officer. Successful nominees will be notified by Friday 10 August. For more information visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/flame2012.
The Paralympic Flame Celebration in Bath will be held at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 25 August 2012.
The free event will be open to all, with an emphasis on children, young people and families, and will have the Paralympic values at its core. The evening celebrations will be ticketed so as not to exceed the 6,000 capacity at the venue. Further details of the event, including how to apply for tickets will be issued at a later date.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is working with experienced carnival producers ArtReach to run sessions for children and families throughout July and August. People right across Bath and North East Somerset can get involved in making costumes and masks and learning samba style drumming and dances.
There will be a Brazilian themed procession leading up to the final event – Rio Carnival Quest – over the August bank holiday weekend, which will be part of the celebrations for the Paralympic Flame Celebration.
To register your interest in getting involved please contact ArtReach by e-mail at [email protected]
