There are so many memories relating to this amazing event so I will be putting a “scrapbook” together in due course.
In the meantime here is a short summary:
My moment to shine took place in Redhill, Surrey on 20th July 2012 when I carried the Olympic Flame. It was many months before that when my wife Sue had nominated me for this honour and I was lucky enough to be selected from some 65,000 applications.
I was passed the flame from the miners lamp at the start of the session following the support teams lunch break so I had a little extra time with the family for photos and to get used to the cheers in the crowd waiting in the street.
It all happened very quickly from then on. I decided to slowly jog, but probably went a bit too fast. I vowed I would not do a silly dance, but I still did, otherwise it was just a fantastic experience.
I am eternally grateful to Sue for nominating me and giving me so much support and also to Lise Taylor- Vebel who came and took some great photos as did Mike Daniels and to Ron Lee who cycled all the way to Redhill. Well done the San Fairy Ann CC! Sue came to give me support as did Stuart and Michael with Natalie and Philippa and of course , all the grandchildren. 8 yr old Oliver will always remember the day and possibly so will James. My sister Viv & husband Steve came all the way from Derbyshire and they were joined by their son Gary and his family. I must also mention Cousin Mike and his family who travelled up from Essex only to watch and photograph the wrong Torchbearer!
After my moment I made my way back to Kent where I was just in time to swim in the Maidstone Mile in the River Medway and get a photo taken with Duncan Goodhew, the past Olympic Gold Medallist.
My overriding memory would be the moment the Flame was lit in my torch and one of the support team quietly told me to pause for a few seconds look up at the Flame and reflect on the fact that for that moment it was my Flame and I was the one person holding the symbol of the Olympic movement for the entire World.
It was one of the most amazing days of my life.
—-
UPDATE: The official video is now available and may part of it can be viewed here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay/day63#pid=p00t69j1&t=15h19m6s