News coverage of its journey has shown that thousands of people are lining the streets to cheer on the Olympic Flame, but as it travels along local, people lined streets, it’s important to make sure that everyone stays safe from the travelling convoy that precedes and follows the Olympic Torchbearer.
Torch Relay Marshalls therefore play a very important role and will be invaluable in making sure everyone has a fun, enjoyable and safe day.
The Torch Route in Barking and Dagenham will start in Ilford Lane and finish in Chadwell Heath High Road, taking in a number of main roads including, Longbridge Road, Lodge Avenue, Hedgemans Road, Heathway and Wood Lane; it will also enter Central Park during the Dagenham Town Show. Torch Relay Marshals will be needed along the entire route and the Council still has a few spaces left for people to volunteer.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, Cllr Bert Collins, said: “This role will mean being at the heart of the Olympic Torch’s journey in Barking and Dagenham and will definitely provide memories to last a lifetime. The Olympic Flame coming to the borough is a fantastic event to celebrate, that potentially could be watched by millions world-wide, and marshals will not only play a very important role – they will also have a great view as the Flame passes them by; a great story to tell the grandchildren! I hope that people take up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and get involved.”
In order to become a Torch Marshall for Barking and Dagenham you need to be available on Sunday 22 July between 7.30am and 1.30pm (although these times may change), and you will need to attend a training session.
For more information please email sarah.belchambers@lbbd.gov.uk or call 020 8227 2012.
The Olympic Torch Relay will last for 70 days and cover 8,000 miles. It will also include 8,000 runners.