Shropshire kindles Special Olympics spirit in Much Wenlock
The Olympic spirit today returned to Much Wenlock after a torch was lit to start the countdown to the Special Olympics.
The Flame of Hope was lit outside the town's Guildhall at the start of an six-day journey which will see the torch transported to Bath for the start of the Special Olympics on Wednesday.
Members of Wenlock Olympian Society were on hand to help light the flame with the group's own torch following a request from organisers of the event.
Much Wenlock is regarded as the birthplace of the modern Olympics after William Penny Brookes set up the first Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850.
Peter Thompson, secretary of the Wenlock Olympian Society, passed the flame to Tim Madgwick, Deputy Chief Inspector of North Yorkshire Police, who is chairman of the Law Enforcement Touch Run GB, with Greg Silvester and Bobby Dunbar, who are both from Wolverhampton and will compete at the Games.
Helen Clare Cromarty, a spokeswoman for Wenlock Olympian Society, said: "We are delighted to welcome the Special Olympics to light their torch from the Wenlock Olympian Society's flame. It was a pleasure to see young athletes taking part."
