The Olympic Torch Relay through Bury

As part of its 70-day journey around the UK for the London 2012 Olympic Games, on Saturday 23 June the Olympic Torch Relay travelled through the borough of Bury and everyone was invited to line the streets.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of history and celebrate the Olympic Flame coming to Bury.

Local people were among the Torchbearers carrying the precious torch and the whole community shared in the excitement of welcoming the flame and celebrating the achievement of the torchbearers. 

Throughout its journey the Torch travelled in either convoy mode or torchbearer mode.

In convoy mode the torch was carried within a vehicle and was not visible to the public. In torchbearer mode the torch was carried by a torchbearer and was visible to the public.

The route of the Olympic Torch Relay through Bury   

• Rochdale Road from Heywood Street to Bury town centre at approximately 15:27.
• The Rock at approximately 15:33.
• Kay Gardens at approximately 15:36.
• Outside Manchester Road Park and Holy Cross College at approximately 16:04.
• Opposite Manchester Road playing fields at approximately 16:09.
• Whitefield Fire Station at approximately 16:22.
• Whitefield Metro Station opposite Hamilton Road Park at approximately 16:24.
• Alongside Victoria Park at approximately 16:30.
• Bury Old Road at the junction with Heywood Road at approximately 16:45.
• Bury Old Road at the junction with Sheepfoot Lane at approximately 17:00.

Approximately one hour before the Olympic Torch Relay was due, presenting partner vehicles arrived along the route providing activities and entertainment as well as distributing free keepsakes on the left-hand side of the road.

The Torch Relay through Bury also coincided with the borough hosting the 2012 International Youth Sports Festival which involved hundreds of young people from Bury and towns in several other countries in a spectacular sport and cultural celebration.  A variety of other Olympic-inspired events took place throughout the day.  

To see the viewing points on a map, see the link to 'The Olympic Torch Relay route on a map' on the right-hand side.

Saturday 23 June 2012 was an extra special day for Bury and many, many people turned out to line the streets.  

More about the Olympic Torch Relay

Early in May the Olympic Flame for the Olympic Torch Relay was lit at the Temple of Hera on Mount Olympia in Greece using the rays from the sun and a parabolic mirror.

After travelling around Greece for 7 days, the Olympic Flame arrived in the UK on Friday 18 May 2012.

The dates for the UK Olympic Torch Relay were 19 May to 27 July 2012.

The Olympic Flame travelled the UK for 70 days bringing the excitement of the Games to everyone. It was given from one Torchbearer to another, spreading a message of peace, unity and friendship.

8,000 great people carried the Torch, in or near to, their local area. Carrying the Olympic Flame was a once in a lifetime experience for each Torchbearer that carried the Torch for approximately 300 metres.

The Olympic Torch Relay began its UK tour from Lands End on Saturday 19 May. The last Torchbearer lit the cauldron in the Olympic Stadium on Friday 27 July 2012.

On the afternoon of Saturday 23 June the Torch Relay arrived in Bury from Rochdale. It passed through Bury, Whitefield and Prestwich before going on to Manchester where an evening celebration was held.

Planning an Olympic-inspired event in 2012?

The Olympic Torch Relay for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games provides us with a fantastic opportunity to showcase our borough and what it has to offer.  If you have an Olympic-inspired event in mind for 2012, we would like you to link this to 'Bury be part of it' our local Cultural Olympiad campaign. Through Bury be part of it we aim to involve everyone in Bury in sporting and cultural activities in 2012 and beyond.  Whether you are an individual, a business, a local leisure facility, sports club, voluntary group or charity - you can be part of it and adopt the Bury be part of it brand. 

To join in with the celebrations and help create an Olympic legacy for Bury please tell us about about your events.  You can express an interest in the Bury be part of it campaign and brand at the 'Bury be part of it - adopt the brand' web page.  Please see the link in the right-hand navigation.  

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