Torch visit ‘biggest day in our history’

Crowds lined the streets andnearby residents craned their necks out of their windows to see 13-year-old Lili Curtis bring the torch to the school, greeted by cheers and applause as she walked through the gate.

To mark the historic occasion the school held an Olympic Festival with competitions for youngsters across the borough.

Up to 3,000 people attended the festival event which saw pupils competing in a range of sports activities including hockey, football, short tennis, table tennis, volleyball and kurling to name but a few.

About 20 schools took part in the festival, which was largely run by Long Field’s Young Leaders, including Scalford, Great Dalby, Buckminster, Somerby, Wymondham, Redmile, Hose and Croxton Kerrial.

Pupils, staff and invited guests got the chance to see the torch up close and there was more excitement when torchbearer Lili, of Louth, lit the Olympic lantern in the centre of the festival as the torch convoy team ate their lunch.

Debbie Ellis, a teaching assistant at Croxton Kerrial, said: “It meant a lot to the children to see the torch. We’ve been looking at Olympic heroes past and present and they really understand the importance of the Games and the Olympic values.”

Keeping people up to date with the very latest news was the Long Field Live radio station which was officially launched on the day and broadcast live for four hours via the school website under the guidance of broadcaster Russell Prue. Among those interviewed on the day were BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, former pupil Matt Hampson and Mayor John Illingworth.

Matt said: “What a great experience it has been for all the children to see the torch and get together. There was a real buzz about the place and I think it’s what the Olympics is all about.”