Torchbearers meet Mayor to mark start of Olympics

Eight of the Sandwell residents who carried the Olympic Flame in the UK this summer came to the Mayor's Parlour at the Big House, Church Street, Oldbury, on Friday (27 July).

It was the first time many of the torchbearers had met each other, and they were able to share their experiences and have a look around the Big House.

They met the Mayor Councillor Keith Davies and Mayoress Councillor Pat Davies as well as Sandwell Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper.

Councillor Davies said he was delighted to welcome torchbearers to the Mayor's Parlour, especially on the day of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

He added: "They have all done a wonderful job representing Sandwell as torchbearers whether in the Black Country or beyond - as well as through all their achievements that led to them being selected to carry the Flame."

Councillor Davies was also pleased to hear how torchbearers were now going out into schools and other community centres to share their experiences and display their torches to a wider audience.

Torchbearers who were able to attend the Mayor's Parlour on Friday were:

• Lewis Leone, from Rowley Regis
• Beth Broadhead, from Great Barr
• Graham Howell, from Rowley Regis
• Dennis Sanders, from Great Barr
• Juanita Williams, from Oldbury
• Ravendar Bangar, from Wednesbury
• Blind Dave Heeley, from West Bromwich, with guide dog Seamus
• Jessica Gripton, from Cradley Heath.

Earlier on Friday, the Mayor and Mayoress had joined crowds in Cradley Heath to ring bells as part of a nationwide bell-ringing event to mark the start of the Olympic Games.

Sandwell's oldest torchbearer, 81-year-old Jessica Gripton, also attended the event, which was co-ordinated in Cradley Heath by the Salvation Army in Meredith Street.

A similar bell ringing event, also at 8.12am, was held at The Public, West Bromwich.