FLASHBACK: The day the Olympic Torch came to Ilminster

WITH the 2016 Olympics in Brazil upon us it will bring back memories to people in Ilminster who will remember when the Olympic Torch Relay weaved its way through the town on its way to London for the last Olympic Games four years ago.

It was early on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, when the Olympic Torch relay reached Ilminster and the town centre streets were packed to see the possible once-in-a-lifetime moment.

The arrival of the Olympic Torch was one of the first civic events the then new Mayor of Ilminster, Cllr Roger Swann, attended and he was joined in the town by the then Mayors of Chard and Crewkerne, Cllrs Cathie Morrison and Neil Sturtivant respectively.

Cllr Swann, who is still a member of Ilminster Town Council, said: “I felt very proud and honoured that Ilminster had been chosen as part of the Olympic Torch procession.

“I was absolutely delighted that people came out to support the runners, even though it was early in the morning.”

PHOTOS - TOP AND RIGHT: Torchbearer Amy Clutterbuck in the Market Square, Ilminster.

South Somerset District Council co-ordinated the torch relay through the area with the help of town councils.

“This was an unforgettable event and the area looked at its very best,” said a council spokesman.

The Olympic Torch arrived in Somerset on Monday, May 21, 2012, at Porlock before travelling to Minehead, Dunster, Carhampton, Washford and Willton before an evening of celebrations at Somerset County Cricket Club ground in Taunton.

The following day the Torch travelled via Ilminster to Yeovil, Ilchester and Somerton and then carried through Street, Glastonbury, Wells, Croscombe, Shepton Mallet, Frome and Southwick.

The journey through Somerset was part of a 70-day tour across the UK before the Torch arrived at London’s Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony on July 27, 2012.

Thousands of torchbearers were recruited for the Olympic Torch relay and they each wore a white and gold uniform.

Sheran Taylor, Tonia White, Sophie Vaughan-Williams, Claire Taylor and Amy Clutterbuck were the five torchbearers who weaved their way through Ilminster with the Olympic Torch four years ago.

Looking back four years ago Tonia said: “The people of Ilminster were absolutely fantastic – they supported us as though we were part of their own families.

“As five female runners we could not have asked for more support or encouragement; so to the people of Ilminster, I would just like to say thank you and I would not have wanted to carry the torch through any other town.”

People may remember that Tonia, of Taunton, was the daughter of Tony and Pamela Adams, of Newport, who were killed in the horrific M5 crash near Taunton of November 2011 which claimed seven lives.

The Market Square in Ilminster was particularly packed with people for the replay and they were there to see Amy Clutterbuck receive the Torch.

It was a day Ilminster will not forget.

The opening ceremony for the Brazil Olympics is tomorrow (Friday, August 5, 2016) although the Olympic football competition started on Wednesday (August 3, 2016).

Checkout our photo galleries from four years ago when the Olympic Torch came to Ilminster.

Photo Gallery Part 1: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/08/04/olympic-torch-relay-in-ilminster-pt-1-may-22-2012/ .

Photo Gallery Part 2: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/08/04/olympic-torch-relay-in-ilminster-pt-2-may-22-2012/ .

Photo Gallery Part 3: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/08/04/olympic-torch-relay-in-ilminster-pt-3-may-22-2012/ .

Photo Gallery Part 4: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/08/04/olympic-torch-relay-in-ilminster-pt-4-may-22-2012/ .

PHOTOS: Photographer Christine Jones, of Ilminster Press, took these photos of when the Olympic Torch Relay came to Ilminster back in May 2012.

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