MKFM were there to cover the Olympic Torch Relay LIVE on 107FM when it passed through Central Milton Keynes and Bletchley on Monday 9th July.

Thousands of you came out to line the streets and cheer on our Olympic Torchbearers. Bletchley Park invited local schoolchildren to welcome this global icon on behalf of the communities of Bletchley and Milton Keynes.

After travelling from Dunstable, the flame set off at 8.30am from the H6 Childs Way, before passing our studio pod outside Xscape on its route, and taking in Secklow Gate, Silbury Boulevard and Grafton Gate.  The torch then passed down Saxon Street before reaching Bletchley at 9.00am taking in a route around Bletchley Park, Buckingham Road and Sherwood Drive.

Olympic Torch Relay - Central Milton Keynes (Xscape)

Olympic Torch Relay - Central Milton Keynes (CMK)

Olympic Torch Relay - Bletchley (Bletchley Park)

Olympic Torch Relay - Bletchley (The Three Trees)

Olympic Torch Relay - MKFM Studio

Olympic Torch - Radcliffe School

Torchbearer Hazel Statten brought the torch to Radcliffe School in Wolverton on Friday 13/7/12 at the end of a trip round over 30 local primary schools.  MKFM were there as well as several local primary schools for an afternoon of music, dance and celebrations.

Could not open a directory stream for /home/mkfmcg/public_html/images/stories/Radcliffe_School_Torch_Event/

You can meet our local Torchbearers below and find out what made them so special from their original nominations, and find out all about the torches and history of the torch relay.

Central Milton Keynes Route

Bletchley Route

Quotes

Andrew Geary, Leader of Milton Keynes Council, said:

The Olympic Torch Relay will shine a spotlight on the people in the borough and demonstrate that the Olympic spirit is alive and well.

Simon Greenish, CEO of the Bletchley Park Trust, said:

We are delighted and honoured that the Olympic Torch will be visiting Bletchley Park. It is symbolic that 2012 also marks the Centenary of Alan Turing’s birth; Turing himself being a world-class athlete of Olympic standards. Bletchley Park’s inclusion in the Torch Relay is a fitting tribute to the achievements of Turing and all his code-breaking colleagues.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said:

We are thrilled to confirm that Milton Keynes will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people in the borough to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK. This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Milton Keynes area to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games.

Central Milton Keynes Torchbearers

Allan Grainger from Milton Keynes (43)

Alan Grainger, an ex Scottish professional boxer, peaked in his day to the highest of this sport. Through the StreetGames:MK project, Allan volunteers 7 hours of him time each week to the cause.

A boxing club set up by SG:MK and with the inspiration from Allan for the need to get 'the kids off the streets'. He has trained to be a level 2 boxing coach and heads the MKAABC, which in the past nine months seen over 120 people through the door. He coaches over 40 young people a week with the drive to inspire and employ drive and passion into them. Allan is a respected community member with strong ambition to tackle anti-social behaviour in youths within his surrounding community.

Luke Webb from Milton Keynes (29)

Throughout his life Luke has shown an outstanding determination to succeed despite suffering from a serious life-long illness, and being severely dyslexic. For many years he has inspired other young people, by giving up his spare time to lead residential adventure holidays for young people, who like him, suffer from Primary Immune Deficiency.

In 2004 he was awarded the RADAR Young Person's Award for the Furtherance of Human Rights for Disabled People. Despite his own learning difficulties and ill health he achieved a BA Honours degree in 2006. He works as a Boarding Master in a School for Specific Learning Difficulties. This year he has been awarded an Achievement Award by the Primary Immune Deficiency Association for his Voluntary Work over many years. Although he often feels unwell, he is a very happy, positive person who inspires others people to be the best they can be by example.

Susannah Hunt from Bishops Frome (18)

Susannah is outstanding! Vivacious and altruistic, she has just recently literally gone the extra mile (26 in fact!) in a sponsored walk (in the pouring rain) for charity, and is currently in Ghana helping to build, and teach in, a school. Here in the UK at Malvern College she has gained an Honorary Scholarship for her excellent GCSE results and hard work this year; she shines on stage, recently as a dynamic Danny in Grease; and she excels in sport: in hockey, lacrosse and especially in athletics.

She is the school record holder for throwing the Javelin, Malvern Districts Senior Girls Javelin Champion and Gold Medallist Senior Girls Javelin at the County Track and Field Championships this year. She consistently finishes in the top 5 in the 1500m, and won a team Gold Medal in the 4 x 100m relay. Friendly and fun-loving, but very committed always to give of her best, she is an exemplary figure - and I cannot think of a better person to help carry the Olympic Torch.

Bletchley Torchbearers

Annie Jankowiak from Buckingham (12)

Annie Jankowiak inspires us. We all started secondary school 10 months ago and Annie has made it fun for us all. Despite Annie having a cyst in her knee which affects her hamstring she could run for her life and she does. She takes part in lots of competitions, usually 800m, and does really well. She isn't just brilliant at running she is also good at long jump. She would really love to hold the Olympic torch.

She is quite shy and nervous, in front of people she doesn't know, but still really kind and generous to everyone. She is also part of scouts club and does lots to help other people. She is the craziest and funniest person I know but still the loveliest. For charity Annie came into school dressed in a wet suit and wore it all day. She raised lots of money doing that. Over all Annie is a really nice, kind and energetic girl, who loves sport and dreams to become an athlete. She would really love to do the Olympic torch relay and we hope you pick her to do the relay. The 'cyst' in my knee is actually a 'ganglion'."

Colin Bycroft from Towcester (54)

I've raised £16500 for Parkinson's UK and Cancer Research UK by organising challenges friends that took part have raised a further £8000.I want to inspire people to push themself beyond what they think they're capable of. It's amazing how good it makes you feel about yourself when you've pushed your own boundaries. Others can see it's a REAL challenge and are all the more likely to support your good cause.I cycled from Land's End - John O'Groats in 2004 for Parkinson's UK and wrote a book about it.

A few weeks ago I got a mail from Rick he'd considered doing the same thing for a few years his wife bought him my book - I just got this email:Just thought I'd drop you a line to say 'I made it!' I finished my BIG bike ride from Lands' End to John O'Groats the Friday before last (8th July.) Thank you for the inspiration and of course the sponsorship.- We have one life..

Fatima Del Angel Palacios from Cordoba (39)

A proud Mexican and a loyal promoter of sports among children, youth and adults. Besides climbing mountains, she loves mountain biking and cross-country skiing. Among her great achievements are reaching the top of Mount Damayand, the highest mountain in Middle East, as well as the Turkish volcano Erciyes Dagien.

Her most recent achievement has been to conquer the Geographic North Pole, becoming the first Latin American woman who managed to do it skiing. Once there, she raised the Mexican Flag at the rotation axis of the Earth.

Hazel Staten from Milton Keynes (57)

Diagnosed at Christmas 2003, Hazel has fought and won the battle against leukaemia with a life saving bone marrow transplant from her brother. She is now well and tirelessly campaigning and supporting charitable work as the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research head of volunteer fundraisers for Milton Keynes.

She is an inspiration not only to me but all the families she supports who have the heartbreaking news that their loved one has been diagnosed with cancer. I do not have enough space to give details of all the wonderful work she has done.

They include running in a half marathon, overland travel to China, public speaking and shaking collection buckets. She has become well known for fundraising dressed as a banana. Hazel truly deserves a chance to carry the torch for 2012 as she is a one in a million.

Jess Stalley from Bedford (16)

We are proud and pleased to nominate our grand daughter Jessica Stalley, Jessica had major spinal surgery during April 2009.and endured two six hour operations. The operation was to straighten her spine by inserting two Titanium rods. During all this time there were no complaints, although there was a traumatic recovery period. She returned to school to complete her Mocks, what an inspiration she proved to be. Jess was and is a swimmer with `The Modernians Swimming Club`, she lost her performance but worked hard to achieve at County level. She volunteered to help with the younger pupils both at school and on Saturdays. Nominated in 2010 for a young volunteer of the year award.

She also participates in `The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme` although enduring considerable discomfort when sleeping on hard ground etc. A couple of Facebook comments by her peers, `I like how you are in my form for these last two years and how you've always got a smile on your face`. `I like how we used to go to the same swimming club, how you were so brave when you had your operation, and yet you still amazing at swimming, how you are stunning and really pretty`. Following her operation she made the statement that `if in the future she couldn`t compete at Olympic level then perhaps she could compete in the Para Olympics!!! She truly inspires us as grandparents and has encouraged us to become involved in aspects of the Olympic games by entering the ballot for Tickets.

Jose Hernandez from Houston, Texas (49)

An American engineer and a Mexican descent and former NASA astronaut.  His family is from a small town in Michoacán State in Mexico with indigenous roots. As a child José lived half the year in La Piedad and half in the United States, where he used to work alongside his family throughout the fields of California, harvesting crops and moving from one town to another. He didn't learn to speak English until he was 12.

After graduating as an engineer, he joined the NASA in 2001, where he was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate in May 2004.  In 2009, José was a member of the crew of Space Shuttle mission STS-128.  While in orbit, José became the first person to use Spanish language in space while tweeting. 
José is an exemplary Mexican, who doesn't believe in barriers to reach one's dreams.

Lauren Badger from High Wycombe (12)

Fortiter, Fideliter, Feliciter is our school motto and summarises the ethos and sense of community. Lauren is a determined member of our school who has overcome low self esteem and a lack of confidenec through her involvement in sport.

At primary school she was selected to play in the Tag Rugby team which ignited her enthusiasm to take part in other psorting activities.

Since joining our school she has shown herself to be a valuable member of the netball and hockey teams. In lessons, she is always willing to help and support he peers, encouragingt them to excel in all that they do.

Outside of school, Lauren has made additional friends by joining a local netball club. Sport and PE haas positively contributed to Laurens social and physsical development. Her journey has inspired other students and sport has changed her life.

Sarah Lambert from Lubbock (16)

Coca-Cola Scholar Sarah has been recognized by two US Presidents for exceptional leadership skills, contagious passion for our environment, and is ideal to carry the Olympic flame. As a Girl Scout she rallied others to make dolls as a Symbol of Friendship for children in Iraq; developed a Volleyball Clinic encouraging girls to stay physically fit through team sports; and recently completed building a carbon-neutral environmental center using compressed earth construction. Sarah stated, Children will become better stewards of our earth if they start implementing good eco-habits now.

Lorax Lodge is used as an environmental education center to teach green ideals. Through grant writing and meeting with businesses Sarah received donations exceeding $200,000 and recruited 2200 volunteers represnting sixteen states. Experts anticipate Lorax Lodge will stand for hundreds of years and millions of children will be impacted by Sarah's vision.

Sean Vendy from Milton Keynes (16)

Lloyds TSB, proud Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, has selected Olympic hopeful, 15 year old Sean Vendy from Milton Keynes, as an Olympic Torchbearer. Sean, who won the U15 National Singles crown this year without dropping a set, was selected because of his commitment and dedication to his sport of badminton and inspiring his peers through coaching and promoting badminton in schools in his community.

Sean is an athlete on the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes programme. Lloyds TSB Local Heroes, in partnership with SportsAid, supports future stars of Team GB and ParalympicsGB on their journey to London 2012 and beyond. To find out more visit http://www.lloydstsb.com/localheroes

The Olympic Torches

The Olympic Torch stands 800mm high and has been tested in BMW’s climatic testing facility in Munich to make sure it can withstand all weather conditions. It was designed by east Londoners Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, and mass produced by Tecosim, Bullfinch and Premier Sheet Metal.

Design: an inspirational 8,000

The Torch is made up of an inner and an outer aluminium alloy skin, held in place by a cast top piece and base, perforated by 8,000 circles.

Representing the inspirational stories of the 8,000 Torchbearers who will carry the Olympic Flame, the circles which run the length of the body of the Torch also offer a unique level of transparency. You can see right to the heart of the Torch and view the burner system which will keep the Olympic Flame alive on its journey around the UK.

The circles also help ensure heat is quickly dissipated, without being conducted down the handle, and providing extra grip.

Shape: the power of '3'

The triangular-shaped Torch was inspired by a series of 'threes' that are found in the history of the Olympic Games and the vision for the Olympic Movement:

• The three Olympic values of respect, excellence and friendship;
• The three words that make the Olympic motto – faster, higher, stronger;
• The fact that the UK has hosted the Olympic Games in 1908, 1948 and will host them for the third time in 2012; and
• The vision for the London 2012 Olympic Games to combine three bodies of work – sport, education and culture.

Weight: as light as possible

More than half of the London 2012 Torchbearers are expected to be young people aged as young as 12, so the designers aimed to make the Torch as light as possible.

It is made from an special aluminium alloy developed for the aerospace and automotive industry. The alloy is lightweight but strong, with excellent heat resistance. The 8,000 circles also reduce the weight of the final design, whilst ensuring strength isn’t compromised. The Torch weighs 800 grams.

Colour: gold

The gold colour embraces the qualities of the Olympic Flame – the brightness and the warmth of the light that it shines.

In April 2012 the Torch was recognised as the Design of the Year at an awards ceremony hosted by the Design Museum.

History and Tradition

The Olympic Flame, Torch and Relay draw on a history going back to the ancient Olympic Games in Greece.

The ancient Games
The Torch and Relay were important elements of the cultural festivals surrounding the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece.

During the Games, a sacred flame burned continually on the altar of the goddess, Hera. In addition, heralds were summoned to travel throughout Greece to announce the Games, declaring a sacred truce for the duration.

Spreading the light from Greece: the modern Games
A very precise ritual for the lighting of the Flame is followed at every Games. It is lit from the sun's rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, in a traditional ceremony among the ruins of the home of the ancient Games.

After a short relay around Greece, the Flame is handed over to the new Host City at another ceremony in the Panathenaiko stadium in Athens.

The Flame is then delivered to the Host Country, where it is transferred from one Torchbearer to another, spreading the message of peace, unity and friendship. It ends its journey as the last Torchbearer lights the cauldron at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, marking the official start of the Games.

The Flame is extinguished on the final day of the Games, at the Closing Ceremony.