Olympic torch to visit three Cittaslow UK towns

As people take to the streets in their thousands to witness the Olympic torch relay, Cittaslow UK are absolutely delighted that residents of Aylsham, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Perth, will have the honour of seeing the torch pass right through their town. In addition to this, Cittaslow Supporter, Perth & Kinross Council will be home to the torch for two days:

Across the 12th and 13th June the Olympic Torch Relay begins its tour of Perth & Kinross at the entrance to Meigle at 12.13 before continuing down the A94 to pass through the towns and villages of Coupar Angus; stopping for a couple of minute before heading on to Woodside and Burrelton. From there to Balbeggie and into Scone passing the RDM School on its way to Scone Palace. Shortly afterwards it continues to Perth and the North Inch (timed at 15.02). Around 20 minutes later, heading down to the South Inch and the Edinburgh Road, the flame will be back on the transport and whisked away to Abernethy.

From there the Flame returns to Dundee for an overnight stop with the following morning's journey resuming at 8.03am in Milnathort; moving to Kinross and Crook of Devon before leaving Perth & Kinross at around 08.39.

Councillor Bob Ellis, Convener of Sport & Active Recreation Forum said, "When it reaches us the Relay promises to be quite a spectacle. The Flame will be part of a convoy including a number of vehicles such as media and support, and of course there will be the Torchbearers themselves who have been nominated to carry it through our communities.

"The Relay will bring the areas it reaches to the attention of global audiences, and we would encourage our communities to do what they can to showcase Perth and Kinross as the wonderful place it is to live and visit."

Information on the Relay is available on the Council's website.

The next day, Thursday 14th June, the Olympic Flame will continue its journey towards the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games by visiting Berwick-upon-Tweed. The relay will pass through Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal between 4.30pm and 5.30pm where a host of activities are planned to mark this exciting and unique event, from early afternoon until late. Children's fun activities are organised on Tweedmouth Green from 2pm with live music along the route as well as Zumba, a special celebratory Town Wall run, and a festive feast focusing on the Granary and Quayside during the evening. Keep up with events as they unfold here.

Three weeks later, at approximately 5.25pm on Wed 4th July, the torch reaches the Cittaslow town of Aylsham where from 12 noon there will be plenty of family activities organised by the town's Torch Relay Committee. In the Market Place people are invited to join Mik Richardson, a graffiti artist, who will be creating 4 panels that will be on display later in the day; there will also be street entertainers and music. In the town hall sport related stalls and taster sessions will get people moving! These include carpet bowls, Tai Chi, Zumba, Yoga and the equipment from the Community Gym. In the church there will be craft activities after school time, plus advice on tracing family history. All the shops will be open.

This will finish around 4.30pm so that people can get their spot ready for when the torch comes through. The church bells will ring a quarter peal that will last until about 5.50 (before, during and slightly after the time the torch is in Aylsham).here