The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Neston Embraces the Olympic Spirit with Schools Torch Relay - Video Now Added

Neston schools celebrated the forthcoming London 2012 Olympic Games in considerable style, with their very own 'Torch Relay.'

Photo © Linda Pelling

Co-ordinated by staff and students at Neston High School, the relay was launched on the morning of Wednesday 23rd May by Gold medal winning gymnast Craig Heap.  Some 50 pupils from the High School then took part in the relay, following a route that took them from the High School to Parkgate Primary, then Neston Primary followed by St Winefride's, onto Woodfall, then Bishop Wilson and through to Willaston, before returning to the High School.

At each stop, the torch was passed to the hosting primary school, who then held their own mini-relays around their school fields.  Some went further and staged some excellent performances for the entertainment of visitors, friends and family.

The entire event was followed by an open-top heritage bus, carrying the Mayor of Neston, Cllr Martin Barker and a media team. A professional video was shot, which can view below.  Senior staff from the High School were also on the bus, including Head Teacher Mr Steve Dool, whose running commentary and announcements on the megaphone kept people amused and startled more than one passer-by!

The CH64 Giant Queen with CAN Group.

The Queen made an appearance - well, the Giant Queen created by CAN Group and dressed using panels designed by all the schools in the area.  Ma'am will soon be seen again, at the CH64 Big Jubilee Lunch, Neston Ladies Day and Willaston Village Festival, as well as taking part in the Chester Giants parade on June 5th.

Olympian Craig Heap also visited the schools throughout the area, giving motivational talks and getting everyone in the mood for the forthcoming Olympic Games.

Mr Dool said of the day, "This was the most wonderful example of a community working together to ensure that students were able to participate in a unique event celebrating the Olympics coming to our country. Every child who attends school in the Neston Area has had the opportunity to take part and it has certainly been a day to remember. I should like to publicly thank all those staff at all the schools and in the local community who have worked tirelessly to make sure that this event has been the major success that it has been."

Your editor was honoured to be asked to attend this event, travelling on the bus.  It was, without doubt, one of the best events I have covered for AboutMyArea.  The organisation by staff at Neston High School was superb. Special thanks must go to Mrs Julie Harnden and Mrs Judy Gilmour for their incredible efforts.

The way that staff and pupils at the Primary Schools also threw themselves into the spirit of the event was remarkable, and it is a day I will never forget.

Funding to make this event possible was provided by Cheshire West and Chester Councillors Gittins, Hogg, Loch and Williams and Neston Town Council.

The Video

Filmed by Chat Noir Productions, a fabulous video, capturing the excitement and fun of the day, can be viewed below. 

Please note, if you are using a mobile device, you may not be able to see the embedded video, in which case please go to the Chat Noir channel on YouTube.

Here are some photos to give you a flavour of the day.  All photos are © either Linda Pelling, Bernard Rose or AboutMyArea.  We will add a slideshow soon, with many more pictures, so please do check back soon.

The Start

Photo © Linda Pelling

Photo © Linda Pelling

Photo © Linda Pelling

Photo by Linda Pelling

Photo © Bernard Rose

Photo © Bernard Rose

Parkgate Primary School

Photo © Bernard Rose

Neston Primary School

Photo © Linda Pelling

Photo © Linda Pelling

Photo © Linda Pelling

Photo by Linda Pelling

St Winefride's RC Primary School

Photo © Linda Pelling

Photo © Linda Pelling

Photo © Linda Pelling

Photo © Linda Pelling

Woodfall Primary School

Photo © Linda Pelling

Bishop Wilson C of E Primary School

Photo © Linda Pelling

Willaston Primary School

Home to Neston High School

Full Slideshow

All the photos in the slideshow are the property of either Linda Pelling, Bernard Rose or AboutMyArea and its contributors.  For enquiries about copies, please contact us on 0151 336 2734 or by email.

Hover your cursor over the top part of the Gallery window to find tools such as 'pause' and to speed up or slow down the rate at which the photos run by. 

(Note: the slideshow below is not compatible for iPhones or iPads - you can view the photos on our PhotoStream here, instead.)

Related content:

Olympic Torch Routes Through Chester and Liverpool

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Comments

Little Actors

At 10:52 on 23rd May 2012, Little Actors commented:

Really inspirational. Well done to the High School for getting into the spirit of it. Just about to listen to you all live on Radio Merseyside.

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Alan S

At 18:32 on 23rd May 2012, Alan S commented:

Lucky enough to see the runner sand bus come up the High Street this morning - absolutely brilliant - certainly got people's attention!

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Clanger

At 22:16 on 23rd May 2012, Clanger commented:

Fab feelgood article. Kids look so happy. Defy anyone living in Neston no to feel proud. Didn't see it 'live' but the pics tell a great story. Nice one.

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Neston High

At 10:49 on 24th May 2012, Neston High commented:

Thank you to everyone who played a part in supporting the hugely successful Neston Torch Relay yesterday. It was clear that everyone involved had a fantastic time and thoroughly embraced the spirit of the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This event showcased what a cohesive community Neston is. Without the support of our community this event could not have happened. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you all. Thank you for allowing us to do so.

Julie Harnden (School Sports Co-ordinator)
Judy Gilmour (Assistant Headteacher)
Megan Coppack (Platinum Sports Ambassador)
Ben Reddy (Platinum Sports Ambassador)

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