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The Olympic Torch is coming - 01/06/2012

The Olympic Torch is coming to Hull on Monday 18 June and we'll be celebrating in style with arts and fun along the Torch Relay route, and a massive, free family event in West Park! The evening event will feature live music and an array of colourful and dramatic dance performances that showcase the Olympic dream and best of city talent! It will be great fun for all the family, so come along and get involved.

The Olympic Torch will arrive in Hull in the late afternoon of Monday 18 June as part of the 70-day Torch Relay, before departing from The Deep and heading towards York the next day. There will be arts and fun for everyone on the route, so come along, get involved, and join the crowds to cheer the Torch on.

Here are details of the route:

Monday 18 June

4:56pm John Newton Way
5:11pm Wawne Road
5:30pm Robson Way (B1237)
5:41pm Saltshouse Road (A1237)
5:57pm Holderness Road (A165)
6:35pm Mount Pleasant (A1033)
6:40pm Heddon Road
6:48pm Great Union Street (A1165)
6:49pm Clarence Street
6:51pm Alfred Gelder Street
6:56pm Carr Lane
7:00pm Anlaby Road
7:12pm Anlaby Road (A1105)

Tuesday 19 June

7:09am The Deep
7:09am Pedestrian bridge
7:10am Humber Street
7:11am Queen Street
7:12am Castle Street (A63)

The Torch's 70-day journey will take it within 10 miles of 95% of the UK population, before arriving at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, and the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron.

8,000 inspirational people will carry the Olympic Flame as it journeys across the UK. Nominated by someone they know, it will be their moment to shine, inspiring millions of people watching in their community, in the UK and worldwide.

Over 30 inspirational people will be carrying the torch through the streets of Hull.

One of the torchbearers Jack Franklin, 15, of South Hunsley School, will be one of the young people to carry the flame on Hull's route. Jack, who has muscular dystrophy, was nominated by his school for his courage and determination in overcoming gruelling operations while continuing to raise awareness of MD. His efforts have seen him crowned as young fundraiser of the year for the Muscular Dystrophy campaign.

He said: "I am thrilled to be chosen as a torchbearer, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am very proud to have been chosen as are my parents and I hope it makes people see me as a person and what I can achieve rather than my condition, which is something I aim to raise awareness of for all of those who have MD."

Hull City Council's Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Leisure and Culture, Councillor Terry Geraghty, said:

"We are delighted to be hosting the Torch Relay in our great city. This is a fantastic opportunity for people of Hull to get into the Olympic spirit and be part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. It gives local people the chance to do an extraordinary thing and will be something torchbearers, and those who watch the relay and take part in the celebrations, will remember for rest of their lives. We will also get to show off some fantastic parts of our city."

"The Olympic Torch coming to Hull is a key event in a year of high profile cultural and sporting events taking place in the city as part of Hull Gold 2012. We hope that people will be inspired to get involved in culture and sport."

To view an interactive map of the route, and find out who is going to be carrying the Olympic Flame though Hull visit the official Olympic Torch Relay website.

The Rhythm and the Beat - from Beijing to Brazil

Our theme for the Torch Relay whilst it's in Hull is 'The Rhythm and the Beat - from Beijing to Brazil'. The Chinese Community will be performing a Chinese Lion Dance to reflect that China was the host of the last Olympics, whilst Hull Samba School and various drummers will be out on the street to beat out a welcome to the Torch, to reflect that Brazil will be the host of the next Olympics.

A special Torch Rhythm has been created for Hull and everyone can join in with beating out a welcome to the torch. Whether clapping, stamping, playing junk instruments or pots and pans, or maybe tap dancing - everyone can take up this rhythm. Lindy Hoppers from Kingston Swing will by dancing to the rhythm on the Street on Holderness Road, and even local Morris Dancers from Rackaback Morris are going to beat out the rhythm in traditional Morris style. How will you play the rhythm?

Learn the simple rhythm by watching our short film 'Get the beat and join in' at www.hullgold.co.uk. Get involved and make some noise!

And there will be a chance to learn the Hull Torch rhythm with local drummer Donna Smith, as part of activities at Hull City Hall during the Hull Diamond Jubilee celebrations on the afternoon of Monday 4 June.

If you want to join in with a big sound on 18 June, a Giant Scratch Samba band will perform in Queens Gardens - led by Darren Squires of Creative Projects. This is ideal for anyone who wants to join in with a big group on the day.

Hull Samba School will perform a special Hull Samba, composed for 2012, and members of the public may get an opportunity to see them at the roadside in the Kingswood area, or in Queen Victoria Square. The Hull Music Service samba band will also be performing in the City Centre. Donna Smith and the Rhythm Pixies will be drumming, and there'll be a junk percussion group creating a 'Mound of Sound' on Holderness Road and we're expecting other drummers will be out along the route.

The Chinese Community will be dancing on Bude Road, providing a showcase of Chinese dance activity including a Chinese Lion dance, and reminding us that China was host for the last Olympics.

A team of artists have been working with groups in the community to help to animate the Olympic Torch Route. Young people in Bransholme and in East Hull have come together with artists to create giant puppet figures which will parade around on the day. They will be joined by musicians from our Refugee community who will help to get a carnival mood.

Young people in Bransholme have been working with local artist Liz Dorton to create giant wheeled constructions which will be incorporated into their celebrations on the day. Rumour has it there's a dragon on Saltshouse Road too!

A giant sprinting centipede is being created by artist Liz Dees with the involvement of various community groups in the City. On the day it will be situated on Anlaby Road and may even try a little run with the assistance of members of East Hull Harriers.

In addition, a colourful community artwork 'Taking Shape' is being created by Hull artist, Arran Todd, in honour of the event. This will be located on Holderness Road, and will be made up of various shapes created by people from all over the community, brought together by the artist into one large design.

The Olympic Torch Celebration Event, 4.30 - 8.00pm, West Park

Hull is one of 66 Evening Celebration locations across the UK picked by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). The evening events will offer thousands of people the opportunity to come together and get involved in celebrations and share in the Olympic spirit.

The Olympic Torch arrives in Hull in the late afternoon of Monday 18 June and will make its way through the streets to a massive, open air celebration event in West Park. It'll be a fantastic, family-friendly evening, with arts and entertainment for everyone.

There'll be live music and performance organised by official Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung - including indie rock band Little Comets and dance act Twist and Pulse from Britain's Got Talent - as well as show-stopping performances from the local Hull community itself, including the Hull Freedom Chorus.

There will also be the chance to take part in some exciting activity organised by the Olympic Presenting partners which includes: fun interactive games, photo opportunities, a chance to be one of the lucky few who receive an exclusive Olympic give-a-way or be part of internationally renowned DJ Mark Ronson's search for the 'Beat of London 2012'.

The Evening Celebration event is alcohol-free with the emphasis firmly on family fun. It starts at 4.30pm with the star of the show - the Olympic Torch itself - arriving towards the end of the evening. The event is scheduled to finish at 8pm.

Thousands of people from Hull and beyond are expected to come along and join in the fun, so get there early if you want to be a part of it!

For up to date details of the Olympic Torch Relay and Evening Celebration Event, follow @hullgold on Twitter, or like Hull Gold's Facebook page.

For more details visit the official Olympic Torch Relay website.

The event is free to attend.

Where possible, all roads are being kept open to traffic. However Walton Street will be closed from 1.00 - 10.00pm to provide event and emergency vehicles access to West Park. Also, the Anlaby Road flyover will be closed from 6.45 - 7.30pm when the Torch passes over it, on its way to West Park.

As the Olympic Torch convoy moves through the City, there will be rolling road closures to allow it to pass safely. This will result in slow-moving traffic, so thanks in advance for your understanding and patience at the time.

Related Links.
Hull Torch Bearers (link opens in new window)
Olympic Torch Relay Route (link opens in new window)
Hull Gold (link opens in new window)

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Hull City Council, Guildhall, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull, HU1 2AA

Tel: 01482 300 300
Text phone: 01482 300 349
Email: info@hullcc.gov.uk