Thousands welcome Olympic Torch to Vale

Buy photos » Fred Kaler did not stop waving to the crowds as he made his way through his hometown with the Olympic Torch. Picture by Marcus Mingins. 2712019MMR3

OLYMPIC fever gripped the Vale yesterday (Sunday) as thousands of people lined the streets to wave through the torch.

With less than four weeks to go until the huge sporting event gets underway the Olympic flame passed through Evesham, Wickhamford and Broadway as it continued its journey around the country.

The torch arrived at Greenhill in Evesham about 11.30am, ten minutes later than scheduled, with Hassan Mehdi the first to carry it past the cheering crowds.

Teenagers Max Theyer and Louis Wilson then continued the journey down Greenhill and into High Street before passing it onto a beaming Fred Kaler.

The chairman of the Evesham and District Pensioners Association did not stop waving to the public as he made his way through the town centre.

The flame then made its way down Vine Street, Abbey Road and Cheltenham Road with torchbearers Ezeigbo Damson, Haku Shah, Joann Simon and Nathan Fisher.

From Evesham the torch was taken to Wickhamford where Alex Chantler-Mayne started proceedings.

Tireless fund-raiser, 85-year-old Moira Starkey then completed the journey through the village with hundreds of people cheering her on.

The pensioner has raised more than £10,000 for charity through various activities including covering a marathon distance by walking round a village hall 2,000 times and homemade jam and pickle sales.

The bunting was out in all its glory in Broadway, the next stop for the torch, which arrived about 20 minutes late.

Villagers laid on plenty of live entertainment and food as 12-year-old Courtney Taylor started the relay.

The torch was passed onto fellow youngster Gareth Picken and David Pitron before Steven Storey completed the journey through the 'Jewell of the Cotswolds'.

For more reaction and pictures read Friday's Observer.

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