Thousands gather to glimpse Olympic Torch at Bisham
12:37pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in Where I Live By James Nadal
Thousands gather to glimpse Olympic Torch
THOUSANDS of thrilled onlookers flocked to Bisham this morning to witness the landmark moment when the Olympic Torch came through the village.
The flame arrived today accompanied by a police motorcade.
Huge groups of enthusiastic flag-waving villagers welcomed the relay, which is today weaving its way around the Maidenhead area.
Sam Shepherd, 22, from Cookham, who was carrying the torch out of Bisham Abbey Sports Centre, was mobbed by school pupils as he took centre stage in the celebrations.
Mr Shepherd, who works for Marks & Spencer, was nominated by friends and family because of his charity work.
A fundraising football tournament he created has raised £400,000 for Habitat for Humanity which builds much needed houses in South Africa.
“I think it's great, I'm so proud so may people have managed to come despite the British weather not being on our side today.
“I'm happy the kids got a chance to come out and the majority have had the chance to touch the torch.
“It's huge to be associated with the Olympics.
"Obviously it would have been best to compete in the Olympics myself, but for me it's the next best thing.
“I'm properly overwhelmed by the experience.”
Representatives from Marlow included Wycombe District Council Leader Alex Collingwood, with his wife Emma, Mayor Jocelyn Towns and Deputy Mayor Suzanne Brown.
Cllr Towns said: “It's been so exciting and seeing it really happening.
"You see much about the Olympics but until you're next to it you don't get that kind of buzz, but I've got the buzz now.”
On the torchbearer she added: “He's obviously a talent young man and has raised lots of money and he's also rather nice on the eye.”
The other Bisham torchbearer was American 16-year-old Bailey Reese, selected by Coca-Cola. SEE FIRST VIDEO.
When she was seven, she founded a non-profit organisation called Hero Hugs after Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
The organisation has since sent out 75,000 care packages to U.S. military members around the world.
Olympic great Sir Steve Redgrave carried the torch through neighbouring Henley whilst rowing and told reporters it was “surreal” but “pretty special”.
Yesterday the torch travelled through north Buckinghamshire, around the Aylesbury and Stoke Mandeville area.
Did you go to the relay today in Bisham? What did you think of it?
Leave your comments below.
