London 2012
New Road to host Olympic Torch party

Buy photos » Visit Worcester’s Georgia Smith, Worcestershire chief executive David Leatherdale, deputy city council leader Roger Knight and council leader Simon Geraghty, at New Road. Picture by Nick Hands 0312032NHR.

THE EYES of the world will be on Worcester’s most famous sporting venue when it stages a spectacular celebration to welcome the Olympic Torch to Worcester.

Thousands of people will pack into Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s New Road ground on Thursday, May 24 to witness the arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay and the lighting of a giant cauldron under the shadow of Worcester Cathedral.

The County Ground has been chosen as the venue to celebrate the flame’s overnight stay in the city, marking the end of day six of its 70-day tour of 1,018 locations across the UK before reaching the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27.

Organisers have already begun planning a thrilling evening of celebrations including live music and light shows, ahead of the arrival of the Torch.

Details of how people can get free tickets to the event will be announced in the next few weeks.

Georgia Smith, head of VisitWorcester and event lead for the city, said they were thrilled to be working with the cricket club on the Olympic Torch Relay celebration.

“The club’s beautiful ground at New Road with its iconic view across the river to Worcester Cathedral is absolutely ideal for this event and will make a fitting backdrop to the arrival of the Olympic Flame as it tours the country,” she said.

Worcestershire CCC chief executive David Leatherdale said: “We are immensely excited to be able to play a part in bringing the Olympic spirit to Worcester, and with our experience of hosting major events we look forward to welcoming local people to what promises to be an unforgettable evening of entertainment.”

The city council has already pledged £50,000 towards staging the event with council leader Simon Geraghty describing it as a “once in a lifetime celebration”.

“I know it will be the perfect venue as the eyes of the world turn to Worcester,” he added.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG (the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games), said he had no doubt the city would organise a great celebration.

The torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Torch through the city’s streets and the route the flame will take will be revealed in the coming months.