Sports and fitness jamboree in Birkenhead Park will welcome Olympic Torch Relay to Wirral

Mar 19 2012 By Lorna Hughes

A HUGE sports and fitness jamboree in Birkenhead Park will welcome the Olympic Torch Relay to Wirral on Friday, June 1.
 
The relay, which begins on Saturday 19 May at Lands End in Cornwall is making an epic 70-day journey around the UK. It will cover approximately 8,000 miles before it arrives in London at the Olympic Stadium.

The flame will light the cauldron at the opening ceremony on Friday, July 27 to signify the start of the Olympic Games.
 
The flame will arrive in Wirral at around 5.45pm on Friday, June 1.

The official route follows Gorsey Lane, Wallasey, then progresses via Duke St, Park Road, Park Road North, and Ashville Road, before entering Birkenhead Park.

It will then be carried through Birkenhead town centre and Hamilton Square, before being taken across the River Mersey from Woodside on one of the Mersey Ferries.

To mark the occasion, Wirral Council is organising displays of sports and fitness activities in Birkenhead Park from 4pm on the day the torch arrives.

The event, which is free, will feature a full programme of sports and exercise events and workshops. The public event follows sports and activities for schools in the park earlier that day.

Councillor Lesley Rennie, cabinet member for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, said: "We are delighted that Wirral is on the route of the torch relay, it really is a once in a lifetime event.
 
"We hope as many people as possible will turn out on the route and join us in Birkenhead Park to enjoy some of the activities on offer. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us and we can create a real party atmosphere."
 
More information about the event in Birkenhead Park and the relay's route through Wirral will be released in the run up to the event, along with details of special Olympic-themed activities.

A new area on Wirral Council's website will go live today (Monday) with details of events, and information about the route. See www.wirral.gov.uk/olympic

For more information on the journey of the Olympic Flame visit http://www.london2012.com/games/olympic-torch-relay