THE LEVERSTOCK GREEN CHRONICLE
an in-depth history of one village in Hertfordshire UK.
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OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY 2012
ROUTE THROUGH LEVERSTOCK GREEN
The Sponsor's Convey wends its way past the Church towards the centre of the village.
Photograph © Barbara CHapman
On Sunday 8th July at nearly 5 o’clock, the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay made its way through the village and down the dual carriageway to Hemel Hempstead town centre. My husband and I made our way to the village at about 4pm, expecting to find it virtually empty – how wrong we were! There were already any hundreds, not to say thousands lining the route, together with the group of on-duty Police. Despite promises which didn’t materialise from DBC of a roped off area for disabled watchers, I was able to make my way to virtually the front where a couple kindly let me nudge forward in my mobility scooter, so that I had an excellent view of the road in front of my, and for a while of the road on either side. As a fiend whom I hadn’t seen for a while ended up next to me, my husband Martin left us to get a position on the road up by the church.
A few minutes later than their appointed time the official convoy began to make its way down from Bartel close to the village. Martin assures me the church bells were ringing, but as the crowd by this time had swelled to many thousands we were unable to hear them where we were. The convoy itself didn’t come into my view up by the church until 17:06, and final Police car following the torch bearer passed me at 17:11, so it was all over in 5 minutes. It was however, a truly memorable occasion and one which I will never forget.
Afterwards, when viewing my family’s photographs and those of a couple of friends the true strength of the crowd in the village became apparent. There must have been about 10,000 people at least. While they waited good naturedly for the convoy to pass, many vendors were walking up and down selling blow-up torches, flags and mock Olympic medals.
The photos shown here are a selection only of those taken by my family and friends. The map above shows their position along Leverstock Green Road and Leverstock Green Way, and individual photos carry their name. These photos are their intellectual property (copyright) and may not be copied without their individual consent.
Photograph © Martin Chapman
Changeover point
Julie Dell
Photograph © Martin Chapman
Photograph © Martin Chapman
Photograph © Martin Chapman
From my vantage point opposite the exit to the Village Car Park, the crowds steadily grew, sellers of torches, medals, flags and other items increased in number, and the weather turned from overcast and cool to sunny and hot so that everyone around was stripping off layers.
Photos below in order as taken. All Photos © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
Photograph © Barbara Chapman
No sooner had this chap run past with his torch than the rain started. Just a few drips to start with, but within 5 minutes it was a real edluge - we had been very lucky! This torchbearer changed with the young lady in the wheelchair a few yards further on, opposite the Village Centre.
For those of us who had seen the torch pass, we now tried to dispurse and make our way home - only snag were the cars parked in awkward places. I asked a nicce Policeman who stopped the traffic for me so I could get my buggy across the road.
Moving down the road to where Rachael,Owen and Hannah
and their friends were standing opposite the new flats.
Photograph (c) Rachael Chapman
Photograph (c) Rachael Chapman
Photograph (c) Rachael Chapman
Photograph (c) Rachael Chapman
Photograph (c) Rachael Chapman
A little further up the road, Conor Mastrerson. Madge Field's Grandson took the following photos which show relly well just how packed Leverstock Green was. This next section all copyright Conor Masterson.
And Finally, Julie Dell and Lyndsey Curtis took the following photos higher up the road opposite Woolmer Drive, and further where there were further changeovers of torch bearers.
Photograph (c) Julie Dell
Photograph by Lyndsey Curtis.
