Tens of thousands welcome Olympic Torch in Plymouth

PLYMOUTH went crazy for the Olympic Torch with tens of thousands of people lining the relay route and packing the Hoe for a celebration party.

Police estimate that a staggering 55,000 people gathered on the waterfront on Saturday to watch a concert culminating with the lighting of a beacon from the Olympic Flame.

Games organisers last night praised the city as the ideal venue for the relay's first evening celebration party.

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R'n'B chart topper Labrinth topped the bill with support from Britain's Got Talent dance duo Twist and Pulse.

The Olympic Flame began its journey through Britain at RNAS Culdrose on Saturday morning and wound its way through Cornwall, before crossing the Tamar Bridge that evening.

Dozens of runners carried the flame through Devonport, Stonehouse, and on to the Barbican.

Twelve-year-old Maddie Wood had the honour of carrying the flame on to the Hoe stage and lighting the beacon to huge cheers.

The cauldron of fire burned briefly before the flame was transferred to a lamp to spend the night in Plymouth.

Police said the size of the crowds were 'tremendous'.

Plymouth City Council predicted 40,000 people on the Hoe on Saturday night but police estimated 55,000 people packed the natural amphitheatre. Signs even warned latecomers the Hoe was 'close to capacity'.

It was estimated that around 100,000 people lined the streets as the torch made its way through Cornwall, through communities including Saltash and Liskeard.

Supt Chris Singer, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "There was a fantastic atmosphere yesterday with the Torch Relay.

"Everyone who saw the torch really enjoyed themselves.

"We have been really impressed with how communities have come together to give the Olympic Torch a great start on its 8,000 mile journey across the country."

Cllr Michael Wright, Lord Mayor of Plymouth, shared the stage with Maddie as the cauldron was lit.

He said: "This has been such a wonderful experience for people in Plymouth.

"Seeing the Olympic Torch carried by our inspirational torchbearers through the city was fantastic and I'm proud so many people turned out to cheer them on.

"The evening celebration on the Hoe was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, there was a fantastic atmosphere and what an amazing way to show off our spectacular waterfront to the world."

Maddie, a schoolgirl from St Austell, said: "This is the most exciting thing I have done in my whole life.

"I was very nervous, all these things were going through my mind. When I saw the crowd on the Hoe, I just felt shock and amazement. I was over the moon."

Paul Deighton, chief executive officer of the LOCOG, and the man with day-to-day control of the relay, was on the Hoe to see the celebration.

He said: "This is an absolutely fantastic venue. I have spent a lot of time down here and always wanted to use this as a prime opportunity to show off the South West.

"I have heard several people say they have never seen so many people on the Hoe before."

Speaking in the shadow of Sir Francis Drake's statue, Bill Morris, LOCOG's director of ceremonies, education and live sites, added: "I have been involved in a number of things here and it says so much about British history."

Cornwall Council estimated well over 100,000 people lined the route from RNAS Culdrose and the Tamar Bridge.

The bridge itself was closed to traffic allow the flame to cross.

Thousands of people gathered in Fore Street, Saltash and next to the bridge to see the torch make its historic crossing from Cornwall to Devon.

Jackie Sully, 69, from Tavy Road, Saltash, said it was an emotional moment watching the torchbearer heading across the bridge.

"He looked a little bit lonely running along the middle of the bridge but he must have been so proud. This has been such an amazing evening and Saltash has done the torchbearer proud. Roll on the Olympics."

Saltash resident Steve Walklin, a former Plymouth Albion Rugby player said: "I can't believe we have just seen the Olympic Torch come through my county, it was an emotional moment and I felt really proud to be part of it. I wish people wouldn't complain about the money spent on this event, it is a great occasion."

Karen and Kev Edwards and their children Pearce and Zoe, from Pillaton, were at Saltash to watch the torch. Zoe said: "The atmosphere was incredible, it was amazing."

Karen added: "It's really great that the entire community has got together to come out all over Cornwall to welcome the torch."

Swimmer Duncan Goodhew was among the Olympic Torch bearers in Cornwall and sports commentator Barry Davies took up the flame in Plymouth.

Cornwall council leader Alec Robertson said: "This has been a very special time for everyone in Cornwall.

"We said from the start that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the very best we have to offer and we certainly achieved our aim."

The Olympic Flame continued its journey from the Life Centre at about 8am on Sunday.

Plymouth City Council organised a swimming and diving gala inside the new facility to give the torchbearers a good send-off.

Alex Cuzner, aged 52, was the first one outside the Life Centre at 4.30am, about three and a half hours before the torchbearer passed.

Wearing a spiky Union flag hat and carrying a huge Olympic flag, he admitted nobody else turned up for more than an hour later.

Mr Cuzner, from Crownhill, said: "I did turn up a little bit early but I am still excited. It is the start of the biggest show on Earth, the biggest sporting competition in the world.

"We missed out on hosting the World Cup, so we have got to make the most of this one."

Roy Wakeling, aged 77, remembered the last London Olympics in 1948, when he was nine years old.

Roy, who walked over from his Milehouse home, said: "We never had anything like this in those days. It was not on television and only the very rich had television sets."

As well as continuous web and television coverage, the torch is accompanied by a cavalcade of police and sponsor's vehicles.

Torch bearers follow in a minibus especially adapted with a stand with numbered holes for their precious torches.

Roy said: "I think it is wonderful. I did not expect to see so many people up here."

Bere Alston woman Kathy Williams, watching with her partner Adam Smith and their daughter Harriott, added: "I am glad we have got it. We miss out on a lot of things here, but this is a great thing for Plymouth."

Not everyone was consumed by the Olympic spirit.

Back on the Hoe, Ashleigh Adams, aged 17, turned up to see Labrinth eight hours early so she could bag a space at the front of the stage.

She added: "I did not know the flame was coming until yesterday."

THE UNSUNG HEROES AMONG PLYMOUTH'S TORCH BEARERS

UNSUNG heroes who have overcome adversity or inspired others through good deeds had their place in the worldwide spotlight when they carried the flame through Plymouth.

Dozens of people carried torches through the streets of their hometown – while others from the city joined the relay in different areas.

They included a blind woman, a pensioner in a wheelchair and an amputee.

Torchbearers ranged in ages from children to an 87-year-old.

City man Andy Netherton, who served with the Territorial Army in Afghanistan, was among those watched by an audience of tens of millions.

But Andy, 45, was more worried about his family.

The city council worker said: "My friends from work and my family are watching me, I am more worried about them."

He also used to volunteer for the Dartmoor Rescue Group.

Plymouth Royal Marine Mark Ormrod, who lost an arm and both legs when he stood on a landmine in Afghanistan, described carrying the Olympic Torch as a 'humbling experience'.

The 28-year-old, who now works for the Royal Marine Association, said: "I am humbled at all the people that contacted me to say they had nominated me.

"It is a humbling experience and hopefully I'll do Plymouth and England proud."

Speaking at the city's launch event in the Life Centre, he added: "I'm looking forward to it. It's a very proud day."

GEORGE ADDS ANOTHER TORCH TO HIS COLLECTION

GEORGE Phillips, who carried the flame through Stonehouse, is one of the few people in the country with two Olympic torches – though he has used the 1948 version as a table lamp.

George, 87, living at a care home in Tamerton Foliot, carried the flame through Devon as a young athletics champion.

Now George, in a wheelchair, has been pushed in a wheelchair through Stonehouse with the 2012 torch. The former Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander even had his photograph taken with a bride and groom near Stonehouse Bridge.

Nephew John Hutchins, from Honicknowle, said: "He lives in a care home, so to be in this huge crowd suddenly was quite an occasion for him. I think he really enjoyed it. A lot of people came over to him, touched him even.

"He was the oldest one on the shuttle bus carrying the torch bearers. All the others gave him quite a big cheer. It is quite a thing to happen."

George told The Herald last year how he carried the torch over several miles near Exeter in 1948 and was warned to change hands above his head to avoid setting fire to his head.

This time his nephew said he was well looked-after by a carer and a police officer.

Sponsors Samsung have paid for George to keep his new torch – though it might not be put to the same use as its predecessor.

Mr Hutchins said: "He used the old torch as a table lamp, though it is still in one piece."

POLAR BEAR HERO SAYS COLLEAGUES WITH HIM IN SPIRIT

ADVENTURER Michael 'Spike' Reid, aged 29, injured in a polar bear attack last year, said his colleagues in the tragic Arctic expedition were with him in spirit as he carried the Olympic Torch from Bretonside to the Barbican.

He added: "The whole of the team who were up there in the Arctic were with me."

Spike, from Plymouth, was co-leader of the British Schools Exploring Society trip to a remote part of Norway last year, in which Eton schoolboy Horatio Chapple was killed.

Despite being seriously injured himself, Spike managed to shoot the bear, ending its attack on the group.

Fearless Spike managed to balance the torch on two fingers for part of his short journey.

He said: "Anyone can carry it holding it in their hand to the side. But with a bit of practice you could balance it on two fingers."

Spike said: "It was amazing. I handed over to six members of the Military Wives choir and got a hug from them too, so that was nice."

He added that he had bought his torch and spent Saturday night thinking about how it could be used.

Spike said: "You could use it as a cheese grater or put straws in the holes and play Kerplunk."

DAY A PRICELESS EXPERIENCE FOR TORCHBEARER JORDAN

TEENAGE torch bearer Jordan Anderton, who has battled back from cancer, said: "You cannot put a price on what this day means to me."

Jordan, aged 18, of Ivybridge, overcame a rare form of the disease to inspire others to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity and to play rugby at a high level.

He said: "After everything we have done, this is recognition of that. I do not think I would want to get rid of mine."

Jordan added that he had bought his torch for £215 but he was not tempted to try and sell it for far more.

Jordan carried the torch from the Life Centre on its first Sunday leg through Plymouth.

He said: "It was just amazing. I cannot describe the feeling. It was the most exciting thing I have done in my life."

Jordan added he had no idea inside the centre just how many hundreds were waiting outside. He did not even know he was running the first leg that day.

Jordan was cheered on by family, friends and colleagues from Ivybridge Rugby Club.

They joined him for a party at his home.

PLYMOUTH RUNNER SELLS TORCH ON EBAY

AN OLYMPIC torchbearer from Plymouth is one of dozens selling their iconic mementos on the internet.

Online auction website eBay is ablaze with up-for-sale torches, which participants can pay £200 to keep.

Some are attracting bids of more than £50,000.

The reserve price set by the Plymouth seller includes their official London 2012 Torch Relay uniform.

Meanwhile, enterprising city students also turned to eBay to put a short break at their Devonport flat up for auction for £750, advertising it as close to a stretch of the Olympic Torch Relay route.

Meanwhile, city people are still involved in the Torch Relay despite it having left Plymouth.

Ryan Christophers, from Plympton, was due to carry the flame through Sticklepath, near Barnstaple, this morning.

The 30-year-old teaching assistant was nominated for his work with troubled young people.

Derriford Hospital cancer nurse Louise Davies, from Ivybridge, was also set for torchbearing duties today. The 47-year-old, a specialist neuro-oncology nurse, was to take the flame through a part of Taunton early this morning.