Details of the inspirational Lantern Bearers leading the procession to Bath’s Paralympic Flame Celebration on 25th August have been unveiled by the Council.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) granted permission to Bath & North East Somerset Council to organise its own Lantern Bearer Relay, which will form part of the carnival procession through the city on the afternoon of Saturday 25 August.
The Council invited the public to nominate people who they felt displayed the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality, and how they have made a difference or pushed the boundaries of what is achievable.
Nine Bath and North East Somerset residents have been chosen to lead the 2,000m Lantern Relay – exchanging the Paralympic Lantern from one Bearer to the next – in front of the Rio Carnival Procession as it makes its way through the centre of Bath and into the Recreation Ground.
The bearers have been named as: Macauley Dempsey from Midsomer Norton, Stephen Roberts from Freshford, Jean Meredith from Radstock, Leanne Cole from Bath, Kelly Hutchins, Andy Stewart both also from Bath, as well as Stella Rogers, Claire Ostick, Brian Laver, Paul Rogerson and Lee Hutchinson who have learning difficulties but have given a tremendous contribution to their local community.
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 David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Bath and North East Somerset Council has the honour of hosting the Paralympic Flame Celebration on Saturday 25 August 2012, at the Recreation Ground, Bath. Our Paralympic Flame Celebration, one of only 34 nationwide, is a great way of showing our support for the British team, who chose the University of Bath as their key base, before they head off to London for the Paralympics.
“We encourage people to come out and see our inspirational local heroes along the route and join in with the celebrations. To help people make the most of the day, our Park and Ride sites will be open until 10pm on Saturday 25 August.”
The Paralympic Flame Celebration will feature 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.
Mandeville, the official Paralympic Mascot, will also be making special appearances throughout the day.
Entry to the event is free but tickets must be obtained in advance, for all members of the family, including children and infants, from venues across the area. Food concessions and a bar, as well as a picnic area will be available on site.
For further information please visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/flame2012; email [email protected] or telephone 01225 394041.
