Friday saw the long awaited arrival of the Olympic Torch to Southend-on-Sea in Essex. It was one of the single most amazing things I have had the pleasure and privilege to witness in this town.
Southend High Street (yes, the flame is there somewhere)
More then 50,000 people lined the streets of Southend and came to the seafront where a 2,000 strong choir performed a specially commissioned choir piece by composer and conductor Tolga Kashif. It was incredible and who knows, we might even make it into the Guinness Book of Records.
The incredible total number of spectators for the event across the Borough of Southend and Basildon amounted to 175,000.
Olympic Swimmer Mark Foster at Pier Hill
The BBC called it one of the most impressive receptions for the Olympic Flame so far. I am really proud of what the whole town achieved.
You might like to take a peek and catch an earful of the proceedings, I've added some links to YouTube and our local fishwrapper. For the non Brits here: fishwrapper = Newspaper. This dates back to the days when 'fish and chips' used to be wrapped up in newspaper, but that was before health and safety put a stop to that great tradition.
Anthem: Let Your Light Shine, was composed by Tolga Kashif
Southend Olympic Anthem: Let Your Light Shine (The sound goes funny for a short time)
Let your light shine - YouTube
BBC Look East Report (06.07.2012)
Olympic Torch Relay Southend-on-Sea BBC Report 2012 - YouTube
ITV London Tonight Report (06.07.2012)
Olympic Torch Relay Southend-on-Sea ITV Report 2012 - YouTube
Evening Echo
Crowds flock to see Olympic Torch Relay in Southend
Crowds flock to see Olympic Torch Relay in Southend (From Echo)
Live Updates: Olympic torch relay in Rayleigh, Southend, Hadleigh and Basildon
VIDEO: Olympic torch relay across south Essex (From Echo)
One thing for sure, we do know how to put on an amazing show. So, if you are ever in Essex, do drop by, you won't regret it.
We don't just have the longest pleasure Pier in the world, one of the last free Airshows, free open Air Festivals in summer, twice weekly free concerts in Priory Park and the Civic Centre, some absolutely stunning parks and gardens, the Royal Philharmonics playing in Priory Park and bands playing every Friday and Saturday night in a large number of pubs.
Near here is also Canvey Island, much despised by those who do and don't live there but there is one of Britain's largest brownsites (disused industrial site) there where in summer you can see millions and millions of orchids flowering. Who needs to travel to the Amazon jungle, when I have it on my doorstep.
The new Arts Centre has only recently been hoisted onto the end of the Pier, so sometime in the next few weeks there will start weekly programmes of music, theatre, commedy and goodness knows what else.
Oh, we still do do a Pier Festival where people dress up in Victorian dress and... well, time to have a look for yourself.
Who knows, if you ask nicely, I might even give you a guided tour.
I guess you could say I love my adopted hometown. Actually, I should really say we, my wife feels exactly the same about it.
If you want to know more... look here:
Southend-on-Sea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia