Final preparations are being made for the Council’s Paralympic Flame Celebration being held in Bath this Saturday, the 25th August.
The Paralympic Lantern will be welcomed into the city by the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Rob Appleyard, when it arrives by rail at Bath Spa Station the day before.
Cllr Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Council and Member Champion for the Paralympics, and double-gold medal winner Steve Brunt MBE, ParalympicGB’s Flame Ambassador, will arrive with the Lantern having collected it from the Paralympic Flame lighting ceremony in London’s Trafalgar Square on Friday 24 August.
The welcoming party will then make their way with the Lantern to the Assembly Rooms by horse-drawn carriage for a Civic Reception, hosted by the Chairman of the Council, for community groups and organisations linked to disability and sport.
Cllr Rob Appleyard, Chairman of the Council, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council has the honour of hosting the Paralympic Flame Celebration at the Recreation Ground, Bath, on Saturday 25 August 2012. This is a great opportunity for us to celebrate all those who represent the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality; and who have made a difference or pushed the boundaries of what is achievable.
“We hope as many people as possible will grab a free ticket for this event and come along to show their support for the ParalympicGB team before they leave their training base in Bath and head towards the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”
The Paralympic Flame Celebration features acts including 70s tribute band Car Wash, with Suspiciously Elvis headlining, as well as many local bands and groups taking part.
BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast Newsreader, Dominic Byrne, will be compering the evening section of the event, interviewing members of the ParalympicsGB Team and taking on medal-hopeful Will Bayley at table tennis!
Mandeville, the official Paralympic Mascot, will also be making special appearances throughout the day; along with opportunities for people to try out a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports.
Entry to the event is free but tickets must be obtained in advance, for all members of the family, including children and infants. Food concessions and a bar, as well as a picnic area will be available on site.
Some tickets may be available from the Recreation Ground on the day itself but it’s best to pick them up in advance from the Bath Visitor Information Centre in Abbey Churchyard (Mon to Sat 9.30am-5.30pm) to avoid disappointment.
To help people make the most of the day, Park and Ride services will run until 10pm on Saturday 25 August.
