By Julie Morgan

Last updated at 10:25, Saturday, 16 June 2012

A CARNIVAL atmosphere will mark the arrival of next week’s Olympic torch relay in Whitehaven.

Street theatre, sports demonstrations, live music and hundreds of flag-wavers will greet the torch half way through its 8,000 mile journey at around 3pm on June 21.

The relay will enter the town along New Road, on to Bransty Row, George Street, Church Street, Duke Street, Scotch Street and Lowther Street. The torch will also be stopping outside Lloyds TSB for around five minutes. At the end of Lowther Street, the convoy will turn on to Strand Street, along the harbour, back on to Bransty Row and back up the New Road.

Copeland Council is encouraging residents to take part in the celebrations, starting at 12.30pm, which include sporting demonstrations in Castle Park, free sports taster sessions at Whitehaven Sports Centre and live music outside Whitehaven Civic Hall.

There will also be street theatre throughout the town and at The Beacon, as well as a gymnastics display on the Harbourside.

In the days leading up to the parade, The Beacon’s learning team will be going into schools and working with pupils to create torches, masks and hand-held flags. These colourful creations will then be used by the pupils to line the route of the torch as it embarks on its route around the town.

Any schools interested in taking part should contact Kimberley Miller at kimberley.miller@copeland.gov.uk.

Also between 10am and 2pm on June 21, members of the public are invited to take part in a free activity and make their own hand-held flags ready to line the route.

Coun Hugh Branney, Copeland’s portfolio holder for leisure, culture and youth, said: “The Olympic Games are set to be the highlight of the fantastic summer of sports and cultural activity for this country.

“Both the Games and the Olympic torch relay visiting Whitehaven really are ‘once- in-a-lifetime’ events. I would encourage as many people as possible to come to the town to give the torch and the torchbearers the warmest possible welcome.’’

In preparation for the visit, there will be parking restrictions on the relay route, including Lowther Street and New Lowther Street. Cars are required to be moved by next Thursday or they may be removed by the police.

Alternative parking arrangements are in place for both Blue Badge holders and resident permit holders, who will be able to park free of charge in any town centre car park during the disruption.

Lowther Street is likely to be closed to traffic from 1pm but there will be a disabled viewing area available on the Harbourside near to the Bulwark Quay and Anna’s café. There will be a first-aid point and lost children point at St Nicholas’ Church Gardens on Lowther Street in the town.

For further information on the day go to www.cumbria.police.uk/advice-and-information/olympic-games-2012.

First published at 11:09, Thursday, 14 June 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk