VIDEO: Olympic torch relay across south Essex (From Southend Standard)
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VIDEO: Olympic torch relay in Rayleigh, Southend, Hadleigh and Basildon
6:10pm Friday 6th July 2012 in Echo News
Torch relay comes to town. Marc Grayston, with the torch and mayor Mo Larkin
THOUSANDS of people turned out to welcome the Olympic torch to south Essex.
About 30,000 people, including school children, lined the route in Rayleigh on Friday morning.
The torch then travelled into Southend, where Olympic swimmer Mark Foster was a torchbearer.
He was greeted by thousands of cheering people as he made his way along the High Street.
Southend seafront was packed and those who turned out where treated to music from a choir made up of more than 1,000 school children, who welcomed the torch's arrival.
After passing through Leigh, the torch went to Hadleigh where it was, again, welcomed by cheering crowds.
The event in Hadleigh also took in the Olympic mountain biking course, which is set to attract hundreds of visitors during the Games.
The torch then travelled to Basildon. The new Sporting Village was the focus of the event.
Thousands of people stood in the rain to watch the once in a lifetime moment.
It was greeted on the seafront by a 2,000-strong choir singing a specially-commisioned song "Anthem".
Related links
It then travelled west to Chalkwell.
The torch arrived in Hadleigh at 1.50pm and took in the mountain biking venue at Hadleigh Castle just before 2.30pm.
It then went to Basildon and Grays at about 3.25pm.
Olympic torch relay in Essex
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Comments(54)
Ellies Mum
says...
11:19am Fri 6 Jul 12
R85 wrote:Because flame gives......FIRE!
Do people only care about this because the media attempt to indoctrinate us to believe that this Olympic thing is the most important thing that will ever happen? Why does anyone care about the pointless torch! OK I can understand the hype behind the Olympics to a degree but I just cannot fathom why anybody would care at all about holding or seeing a piece of metal with a flame coming out the end of it!
GentleGiant
says...
11:35am Fri 6 Jul 12
southendshrimper
says...
12:34pm Fri 6 Jul 12
terrysays3
says...
12:34pm Fri 6 Jul 12
anon anon
says...
12:41pm Fri 6 Jul 12
southendshrimper wrote:spot on.....
Why can't some people just see the hope, glory & passion that the olympic flame brings. If you don't like it just sit down & shut up & let the rest of us wave the flags.
too many moaners....
Brunning999
says...
12:43pm Fri 6 Jul 12
GentleGiant
says...
12:58pm Fri 6 Jul 12
the kracken
says...
1:02pm Fri 6 Jul 12
I wonder,if there is another world war or some kind of devastating security situation and this country is at best bankrupted ,(and that is if we win..losing you don't want to think about) having to rush to make up for our inadequate spending,like during ww2
I wonder .... whether those fools who cheered today and cluttered the streets like the brainless sheep they are, will appreciate 'the torch' when they are on rations for the next twenty years and living hand to mouth.
Also ... we have people lying in their own excrement or dying of thirst in our nations hospitals because there isn't the nursing numbers in part, to look after them. Just think about that when you watch that torch.
It is all a giant scam these olympics ,a simple willy waving contest for nations, once that torch goes past,people will go back to their dreary lives watching xfactor,or other rubbish , boozing or taking large amounts of legal and illegal drugs that dull the mind to their own rubbish boring lives.
Ignoring the fact their country is in the toilet and our politicians are screwing us. Just watch that torch aye!! Idiots....
EthanEdwards
says...
1:28pm Fri 6 Jul 12
To avoid the traffic I was in work 6:36am. Who needs sleep eh? Thanks Dr Goebbels for inventing the Torch relay.
anon anon
says...
1:48pm Fri 6 Jul 12
I wonder .... whether those fools who cheered today and cluttered the streets like the brainless sheep they are, will appreciate 'the torch' when they are on rations for the next twenty years and living hand to mouth.
bit rude arnt you ?
single? no Friends ?
Monkeytennis1
says...
1:48pm Fri 6 Jul 12
the kracken wrote:Sound like a right old laugh!! Love to go on a night out with you..
And at the same time they are wasting money on these olympics our armed forces are being decimated. I wonder,if there is another world war or some kind of devastating security situation and this country is at best bankrupted ,(and that is if we win..losing you don't want to think about) having to rush to make up for our inadequate spending,like during ww2 I wonder .... whether those fools who cheered today and cluttered the streets like the brainless sheep they are, will appreciate 'the torch' when they are on rations for the next twenty years and living hand to mouth. Also ... we have people lying in their own excrement or dying of thirst in our nations hospitals because there isn't the nursing numbers in part, to look after them. Just think about that when you watch that torch. It is all a giant scam these olympics ,a simple willy waving contest for nations, once that torch goes past,people will go back to their dreary lives watching xfactor,or other rubbish , boozing or taking large amounts of legal and illegal drugs that dull the mind to their own rubbish boring lives. Ignoring the fact their country is in the toilet and our politicians are screwing us. Just watch that torch aye!! Idiots....
Let people enjoy themselves, if it’s not your bag which it clearly isn’t just ignore it..
pose for it photography
says...
2:16pm Fri 6 Jul 12
.com/pages/Pose-for-
it-Photography/37990
4248697732
A very emotional picture on that facebook page! What a moment in time
emcee
says...
2:16pm Fri 6 Jul 12
Max Impact
says...
2:32pm Fri 6 Jul 12
emcee wrote:My your a jolly person... not related to (not so) jollyboy are you.
I cannot believe people will stand out it the rain for half an hour or more just to see someone run past, with an oversized match, for five seconds.
Its a once in a lifetime event why cant people enjoy it, the torch will probably NEVER come through Southend again in our lifetimes so people are taking this chance to see it.
UK Fan
says...
2:41pm Fri 6 Jul 12
Apart from the actual torch relay, the single most amazing thing was the choir. It just blew me away.
Let me say just say thank you, thank you very much to everybody that made this magnificent event possible, took part in it or stood in the rain like the deluded bunch of sheep that we apparently all are.
Did anybody notice just how clean the town and the seafront were today? Now that is something I would like to see more often.
So, once again, three cheery 'baaahs' to everybody. Southend is one fine town to live in. I am proud of you.
UK Fan
says...
2:46pm Fri 6 Jul 12
Sadly, this needed to be done on a great day such as this.
A final note to the lady from the Echo I met along the seafront: See, that's what I was talking about.
MrX
says...
2:47pm Fri 6 Jul 12
Thecountrysgonetopot!
says...
2:49pm Fri 6 Jul 12
UK Fan wrote:Agreed, see my post
I tend to be a relatively tolerant person, in fact, someone once called me a 'bit of a do-gooder', but this time a couple of you have overstepped the boundaries of anything acceptable and I took the liberty of reporting you to staff. Sadly, this needed to be done on a great day such as this. A final note to the lady from the Echo I met along the seafront: See, that's what I was talking about.
JamesMacbeth
says...
3:05pm Fri 6 Jul 12
I really wish someone had told us they were planning to do that, we would have waited elsewhere.
fletch12107
says...
4:00pm Fri 6 Jul 12
Harvey Cheeseman
says...
5:31pm Fri 6 Jul 12
Harvey Cheeseman
says...
5:35pm Fri 6 Jul 12
UK Fan wrote:Absolutely correct I hate intolerance of other's views, and for those who express anything that veers from the collective perception should be reported.
I tend to be a relatively tolerant person, in fact, someone once called me a 'bit of a do-gooder', but this time a couple of you have overstepped the boundaries of anything acceptable and I took the liberty of reporting you to staff.
Sadly, this needed to be done on a great day such as this.
A final note to the lady from the Echo I met along the seafront: See, that's what I was talking about.
Ronaldo Marteen
says...
6:07pm Fri 6 Jul 12
UK Fan
says...
6:16pm Fri 6 Jul 12
You are absolutely correct, there was a distinct feeling of 'togetherness', something that in my expierience is something that makes the population of this country absolutely unique, so, be proud of it.
Some total strangers just started chatting to me, magic, it was like having met people you've known all your life and I got talking to a lady from the Echo. We had a fun chat about the people commenting here. She said, she was an avid follower of what goes on here.
Only thing I hope for is that the Echo manages to improve on its uploads to Youtube a little. The 'Anthem' was fantastic, so I don't think a 12 sec. clip does it any justice. Well, we shall see.
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
6:28pm Fri 6 Jul 12
MrX wrote:they didn't want anyone else getting at th buffet, after all wth Fatty Blake there it would have been hard enough for Ma Larkin, Tiny Balls and Boner Tomlin getting at the pies as it was
Just back from Basildon Sports Village. But public not allowed at all on site. Just Larkin, Ball and their cronies. Nice to know the Village caters for all the community!!!!
v.randy
says...
7:52pm Fri 6 Jul 12
the flame in southend was fantastic,worth every penny
APR
says...
9:45pm Fri 6 Jul 12
Strangers chatting to each other, even the police being friendly.
It was a huge ant-climax once they were all back on their coaches, and gone.
A great experience.
Diannah
says...
11:36pm Fri 6 Jul 12
emcee
says...
11:55pm Fri 6 Jul 12
Max Impact wrote:Just because it is a once in a lifetime event does not mean everybody should have to participate on pain of being condemned as a killjoy. I merely stated that I did not understand the thrill of standing in the rain to witness something over in the blink of an eye. If people thought it was worth while, good luck to them. I just didn't feel excited over the whole thing and fail to understand those who do.
emcee wrote:My your a jolly person... not related to (not so) jollyboy are you.
I cannot believe people will stand out it the rain for half an hour or more just to see someone run past, with an oversized match, for five seconds.
Its a once in a lifetime event why cant people enjoy it, the torch will probably NEVER come through Southend again in our lifetimes so people are taking this chance to see it.
Once in a lifetime it may well have been but I dare say there will be others, some I may consider more important or more thrilling than others.
Kim Gandy
says...
12:09am Sat 7 Jul 12
heartbeat
says...
1:56am Sat 7 Jul 12
UK Fan wrote:The choir was absolutely brilliant! Southend should be really proud of having produced that performance.
I was there from 10am to around 2pm and all I can say is that it was an amazing event and I am proud to live in this town that managed to stage it magnificently.
Apart from the actual torch relay, the single most amazing thing was the choir. It just blew me away.
Let me say just say thank you, thank you very much to everybody that made this magnificent event possible, took part in it or stood in the rain like the deluded bunch of sheep that we apparently all are.
Did anybody notice just how clean the town and the seafront were today? Now that is something I would like to see more often.
So, once again, three cheery 'baaahs' to everybody. Southend is one fine town to live in. I am proud of you.
What a pity the totally inept announcer woman said something stupid after they sang like "I'm sure Southend will go on to have a great choral tradition after that"!! Where do they get these people??? Southend Girls's and Boys' Choirs have toured the world countless times not to mention having sung at the Royal Albert Hall and loads of other prestigious venues in the UK and Europe over and over again.....several other choirs around the town have sung at prestigious venues including the O2 arena etc. etc.......DOH!!! Do us a favour love and do some proper journalistic research before you grab the microphone next time!
heartbeat
says...
2:05am Sat 7 Jul 12
Well done for that, Southend!
Keith London
says...
6:00am Sat 7 Jul 12
heartbeat wrote:Yes well done Plod. It must have been a very difficult task given the level of hostility displayed by the crowd at the show. I have to say that at times it felt like it only needed the merest spark to ignite a very incendiary situation.
And yes the seafront did look clean and I thought the police and other officials did a great job with the massive crowds.
Well done for that, Southend!
kde
says...
6:39am Sat 7 Jul 12
SUFCONLY
says...
7:07am Sat 7 Jul 12
I am a proud Southendian, and would like to congratulate the efforts of the Town & Borough in staging such a spectacular event along Marine Parade, yesterday.
To the 2000 strong choir of men, women and children who delivered The Southend Anthem I salute you all. Uplifting and inspirational would be an under-statement.
The Echo photographer leaves a lot to be desired - that is my only gripe.
Well done to all involved, not least the Council, who overcame obvious Health & Saefty concerns.
Well done everybody simply fantastic, your moment in history will remain with you for lives and you gave back to the townsfolk, a lifelong memory also.
Ian Walker,
Southend-on-Sea
SUFCONLY
says...
7:19am Sat 7 Jul 12
UK Fan wrote:UK Fan I agree 100% - I was pleased to be able to take the time off work to witness this historic event in the life of our Town and Borough - if anyone in the country may have done it better I would be truly amazed.
I was there from 10am to around 2pm and all I can say is that it was an amazing event and I am proud to live in this town that managed to stage it magnificently.
Apart from the actual torch relay, the single most amazing thing was the choir. It just blew me away.
Let me say just say thank you, thank you very much to everybody that made this magnificent event possible, took part in it or stood in the rain like the deluded bunch of sheep that we apparently all are.
Did anybody notice just how clean the town and the seafront were today? Now that is something I would like to see more often.
So, once again, three cheery 'baaahs' to everybody. Southend is one fine town to live in. I am proud of you.
To-day I stand proud as a Southendian, having our own Anthem is special.
Well done to all involved.
Bernard Manning
says...
7:57am Sat 7 Jul 12
SUFCONLY wrote:A very humbling post from you, Ian. I’m sure that all the detractors will feel truly ashamed that they raised a dissenting voice. Doubtless you are glad that this is an electronic system, otherwise your missive would have been unreadable from the tear stains that would have been engendered whilst scribing it.
You either take pride in your home town and take the time & trouble to witness an historic event, or not.
I am a proud Southendian, and would like to congratulate the efforts of the Town & Borough in staging such a spectacular event along Marine Parade, yesterday.
To the 2000 strong choir of men, women and children who delivered The Southend Anthem I salute you all. Uplifting and inspirational would be an under-statement.
The Echo photographer leaves a lot to be desired - that is my only gripe.
Well done to all involved, not least the Council, who overcame obvious Health & Saefty concerns.
Well done everybody simply fantastic, your moment in history will remain with you for lives and you gave back to the townsfolk, a lifelong memory also.
Ian Walker,
Southend-on-Sea
APR
says...
10:00am Sat 7 Jul 12
Kim Gandy wrote:Agreed there was little of Rayleigh shown. On the lunchtime news there was a clip of them at the bottom of crown hill, but that wasn't shown again. The only bit they kept repeating was the kids in the High Street. Otherwise, Rayleigh hardly got a mention.
Where is the footage of Rayleigh, or don't we exist. Or is this the Mo Larkin Show?
You can catch videos here:
http://www.london201
2.com/torch-relay/vi
deo/
UK Fan
says...
10:03am Sat 7 Jul 12
I for one would like to have a copy of it, there was such an abundance of styles incorporated, without making it sound 'tacky' in any way that it truly reflected the international spirit that the games are about after all.
I am not sure how we can communicate this to everybody, but maybe I can convince them to post such info on both the actual Council site, as well as the tourist information pages.
Once again and I know I am repeating myself, well done everybody.
If any of you upload any videos or pictures of the event, can you make sure to post the links in any topics relating to the torch relay on the Echo site. Thanks for that.
All 9 of me
says...
10:36am Sat 7 Jul 12
SUFCONLY
says...
3:01pm Sat 7 Jul 12
SUFCONLY
says...
3:15pm Sat 7 Jul 12
Bernard Manning wrote:I feel sorry for people like Bernard Manning.
SUFCONLY wrote:A very humbling post from you, Ian. I’m sure that all the detractors will feel truly ashamed that they raised a dissenting voice. Doubtless you are glad that this is an electronic system, otherwise your missive would have been unreadable from the tear stains that would have been engendered whilst scribing it.
You either take pride in your home town and take the time & trouble to witness an historic event, or not.
I am a proud Southendian, and would like to congratulate the efforts of the Town & Borough in staging such a spectacular event along Marine Parade, yesterday.
To the 2000 strong choir of men, women and children who delivered The Southend Anthem I salute you all. Uplifting and inspirational would be an under-statement.
The Echo photographer leaves a lot to be desired - that is my only gripe.
Well done to all involved, not least the Council, who overcame obvious Health & Saefty concerns.
Well done everybody simply fantastic, your moment in history will remain with you for lives and you gave back to the townsfolk, a lifelong memory also.
Ian Walker,
Southend-on-Sea
Detractors are of course entitled to their say and view, but your remarks are about as low as it gets, and you clearly resent others who do not conform to your way of thinking.
Go crawl back under the rock from whence you came.
APR
says...
4:36pm Sat 7 Jul 12
I would certainly feel sorry for anyone like him.
Ellies Mum
says...
5:41pm Sat 7 Jul 12
SUFCONLY wrote:I guess like Bernard is like many waho are tired of being told by people like you what they should be feeling . Your opinion is yours, and unfortunately it's your misplaced certitude that gives the rest of us mere mortals more than a little to worry about. Walker, you're nothing, just like the rest of us.
Bernard Manning wrote:I feel sorry for people like Bernard Manning.
SUFCONLY wrote:A very humbling post from you, Ian. I’m sure that all the detractors will feel truly ashamed that they raised a dissenting voice. Doubtless you are glad that this is an electronic system, otherwise your missive would have been unreadable from the tear stains that would have been engendered whilst scribing it.
You either take pride in your home town and take the time & trouble to witness an historic event, or not.
I am a proud Southendian, and would like to congratulate the efforts of the Town & Borough in staging such a spectacular event along Marine Parade, yesterday.
To the 2000 strong choir of men, women and children who delivered The Southend Anthem I salute you all. Uplifting and inspirational would be an under-statement.
The Echo photographer leaves a lot to be desired - that is my only gripe.
Well done to all involved, not least the Council, who overcame obvious Health & Saefty concerns.
Well done everybody simply fantastic, your moment in history will remain with you for lives and you gave back to the townsfolk, a lifelong memory also.
Ian Walker,
Southend-on-Sea
Detractors are of course entitled to their say and view, but your remarks are about as low as it gets, and you clearly resent others who do not conform to your way of thinking.
Go crawl back under the rock from whence you came.
Ronaldo Marteen
says...
5:55pm Sat 7 Jul 12
SUFCONLY wrote:One can't help feel that from you're original post and your response to Mr Manning's light hearted jibe that you come across as a total onanist.
Bernard Manning wrote:I feel sorry for people like Bernard Manning.
SUFCONLY wrote:A very humbling post from you, Ian. I’m sure that all the detractors will feel truly ashamed that they raised a dissenting voice. Doubtless you are glad that this is an electronic system, otherwise your missive would have been unreadable from the tear stains that would have been engendered whilst scribing it.
You either take pride in your home town and take the time & trouble to witness an historic event, or not.
I am a proud Southendian, and would like to congratulate the efforts of the Town & Borough in staging such a spectacular event along Marine Parade, yesterday.
To the 2000 strong choir of men, women and children who delivered The Southend Anthem I salute you all. Uplifting and inspirational would be an under-statement.
The Echo photographer leaves a lot to be desired - that is my only gripe.
Well done to all involved, not least the Council, who overcame obvious Health & Saefty concerns.
Well done everybody simply fantastic, your moment in history will remain with you for lives and you gave back to the townsfolk, a lifelong memory also.
Ian Walker,
Southend-on-Sea
Detractors are of course entitled to their say and view, but your remarks are about as low as it gets, and you clearly resent others who do not conform to your way of thinking.
Go crawl back under the rock from whence you came.
Still up the Blues, Ian!
SUFCONLY
says...
9:08am Sun 8 Jul 12
You have not argument and you know it.
richcarol
says...
12:11pm Sun 8 Jul 12
UK Fan wrote:UKFANNY.......I have read lots of your stupid articles and yes I would agree you are defiantly a dogooder type. I have also read you have reported people that have made comments that do not suit your thoughts. This country says live and let live and you say live and think my way or i report you. Was you a prefect at school ? Bully yes as if you do not agree with a persons thoughts you will report them. Grow up and stop bullying people. Now you have been told and you will now report me. You are a very immature stupid person without out brain and as the youngsters would say, you are a GRASS.
Just to inform you. I have just sent an email to the Council enquiring about whether the Anthem will be recorded and made available for download at any stage, as I think it should.
I for one would like to have a copy of it, there was such an abundance of styles incorporated, without making it sound 'tacky' in any way that it truly reflected the international spirit that the games are about after all.
I am not sure how we can communicate this to everybody, but maybe I can convince them to post such info on both the actual Council site, as well as the tourist information pages.
Once again and I know I am repeating myself, well done everybody.
If any of you upload any videos or pictures of the event, can you make sure to post the links in any topics relating to the torch relay on the Echo site. Thanks for that.
Ellies Mum
says...
3:43pm Sun 8 Jul 12
SUFCONLY wrote:Like I said the certitude of the moronic. Say hi to Susanne for me.
If Bernard Manning, Ronaldo Martine, Ellies Mum or anyone else wants to trade personal insults, don't come to a gun fight with a pen-knife.
You have not argument and you know it.
richcarol
says...
6:55pm Sun 8 Jul 12
richcarol
says...
6:59pm Sun 8 Jul 12
SUFCONLY
says...
9:25pm Sun 8 Jul 12
Ellies Mum wrote:I dont know you and you don't know me, thet's keep it that way eh ?
SUFCONLY wrote:Like I said the certitude of the moronic. Say hi to Susanne for me.
If Bernard Manning, Ronaldo Martine, Ellies Mum or anyone else wants to trade personal insults, don't come to a gun fight with a pen-knife.
You have not argument and you know it.
I will not be responding further, so do no bother to reply.
APR
says...
8:55am Mon 9 Jul 12
Alekhine
says...
12:48pm Mon 9 Jul 12
v.randy wrote:nice choice of name.
i'm 88 this year and today was the best day of my life. the flame in southend was fantastic,worth every penny
R85 says...
10:37am Fri 6 Jul 12