Get set for the Olympic Torch Relay!

: Monday, 25 June 2012 12:15

A host of celebratory events are planned as the Derbyshire Dales gets set for the arrival on Friday 29 June of the Olympic Torch Relay.

Olympic Torch And the message to thousands of people preparing to welcome the iconic flame is arrive early for the celebrations – and expect delays on roads around the Torch route.

Derbyshire Dales District Council is leading a team of partners staging a series of events as more than 20 Torch bearers carry the flame through one of the most beautiful areas on the Olympic tour.

Last minute tweaks to planning for the event - Day 42 of the Olympic flame's tour of the country – include:

Bringing forward the closure of Matlock Bridge to 9am on Friday
Closing Steep Turnpike in Matlock from 10am
Closing additional roads in Bakewell - Market Street/Granby Road from 8am to 7pm to clear the way for a special stall market in the Crescent, plus Aldern Way and Castle Mount Crescent

To help the anticipated large crowds negotiate busy areas, road closures publicised previously will also happen before the Torch arrives. These include Dig Street in Ashbourne (closed from 4pm to 9pm) and, in Bakewell, Water Street, Water Lane and North Church Street. Some on-street parking suspensions will also be in force.

The District Council's car parks across the Dales will be open as usual throughout the Relay with the exception of Ashbourne Market Place and the Pig Market car park in Bakewell next to North Church Street, both of which will be closed.

To minimise disruption and to ensure spectators get a traffic-free view, police escorting the flame will carry out a rolling road closure as the Torch moves through Matlock, Darley Dale, Bakewell and, finally, Ashbourne.

Torch bearers only run through each of the towns – in between the Olympic flame is carried onboard a convoy of around 14 vehicles.

Approximate arrival times for the four Dales towns are:

2.50pm Matlock
3.15pm Darley Dale
4.25pm Bakewell
6.00pm Ashbourne

The flame travels to Buxton in between its visits to Bakewell and Ashbourne.

A host of entertainment is planned as the Dales gets the lion's share of the Relay in Derbyshire. Photo opportunities will happen also at Matlock Bath's Heights of Abraham (2.10pm) and Chatsworth (4pm).

Leader of Derbyshire Dales District Council, Councillor Lewis Rose OBE, said:

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and Derbyshire Dales District Council has been working hard as the lead partner to coordinate the entertainment and logistics.

"With the big day now very close, we want to stress again that people living on the Dales route need to be prepared. Our best advice is to arrive early and take advantage of the dozens of special events taking place in town centres and the District Council's parks in Matlock and Bakewell.

"We also make a special appeal to people to respect designated viewing areas set aside in each of the towns for thousands of local schoolchildren."

The District Council's organising partners include the Town Councils of Ashbourne, Bakewell, Darley Dale and Matlock, Derbyshire County Council, the Peak District National Park Authority and other local groups.

Your plans for the big day

Torch Relay Dales map Anyone using a car is encouraged to plan ahead and decide where they are going to park. Spectators are also asked to consider using trains and buses as an alternative or, if possible, walk or cycle.

A leaflet [PDF 1MB] explaining timings and listing events on 29 June has been posted to all Dales homes in and around the Torch Relay route, and posters have gone up in District Council car parks and along the route, warning motorists to expect delays.

Local people are urged to check online here at derbyshiredales.gov.uk as the big day approaches.

On the day itself, regular updates will be posted on Facebook and Twitter (hashtag #derbystorch) to inform people about what is happening and if the Relay is running to schedule. In week one of the Relay, the Torch was sometimes an hour late arriving in its destination, but timings have improved.

The Relay started out from Land's End on 19 May, with its ultimate destination London's Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony on Friday 27 July.

Already the event has captured the imagination of communities on the Relay route, with bigger than expected crowds gathering to catch a glimpse of torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame.

The Derbyshire Dales schedule

Day 42 starts in Glapwell, Bolsover and Chesterfield before the Torch arrives in Matlock at the Lumsdale site of Highfields School for a private function at 1.45pm. During this lunch stop the flame will be driven to the Heights of Abraham at Matlock Bath for a trip on the iconic cable cars before returning to Highfields School. The Heights of Abraham will be open as usual, but visitors are advised there will be disruption to the cable cars between 1pm and 3pm.

2.50pm: Torch leaves Highfields School, travelling down Chesterfield Road, Steep Turnpike (which is closed from 10am) and into the town centre along Causeway Lane to Crown Square, then Bakewell Road before changing to convoy mode (no Torchbearer) at the relief road traffic island. Rolling road closure will include roads listed above, plus closure of the Crown Square Bridge from 11.30am
3.15pm: Torch arrives in Darley Dale close to the A6 entrance road to DFS, then travels along Dale Road South until it reaches the entrance to the Cobb Slater premises. Rolling road closure will include the stretch of A6 listed above in both directions.
4.00pm: Photo opportunity at Chatsworth House
4.23pm: Torch arrives in Bakewell via Baslow Road (A619) and into Bridge Street over the river bridge and into Rutland Square before heading off to Buxton on the A6. Rolling road closure on roads listed (not Chatsworth)
6.02pm: After visiting Buxton, the convoy travels down the A515 into Ashbourne from Buxton Hill, through Market Place, St John Street, Dig Street and through Compton, and out onto the Derby Road for an evening celebration event in the city of Derby. Rolling road closure on roads listed, plus closure of Dig Street from 4-9pm.

The list of Torch bearers announced so far for the Derbyshire Dales is available to view online. Please note LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) have not yet provided a full list (including potential VIP Torchbearers) or designated nominated Torchbearers to definite "kiss" or handover points in the Dales.

Town-by-town list of events:

Matlock (entertainment from 12.30pm)

As many as 2,000 school children are expected to join in the celebrations in Matlock on 29 June, activities kicking off in Derbyshire Dales District Council's Hall Leys Park in the centre of town from 12.30pm.

At 12.15pm, children from local schools will take part in an Olympic Parade from the Bridge in Crown Square (closed to traffic from 9am) to the Hall Leys Park, culminating in the raising of a schools' flag on the Hall Leys flag pole.

Look out for a multitude of events - organised by the District Council and a host of local partners - including dance, a design-a-flag session, a Matlock Bath Illuminations display, street games, extreme sports, tennis and bowls taster sessions, an "Olympicnic" and face painting.

Although the Olympic Torch arrives at the Lumsdale site of Highfields School at 1.45pm, please note this is a private function and a lunch stop. During lunch the flame is carried by car to the Heights of Abraham at Matlock Bath for a ride on the cable cars. The Heights of Abraham will be open as usual, but visitors are advised there will be disruption to the cable cars between 1pm and 3pm. Check heightsofabraham.com for details.

At 2.50pm, the flame returns to Highfields School for the Relay into Matlock town centre. Seven Torch Bearers will be involved as the flame makes its way down Chesterfield Road, turning right into Steep Turnpike (which will be closed from 10am) and right again into Causeway Lane and Crown Square, then along Bakewell Road before changing to convoy mode at the relief road roundabout. In front and behind the Torch Bearer will be a cavalcade of vehicles - more than 12 in number, including sponsor partners.

The streets of Matlock are likely to be incredibly busy - please respect designated viewing areas reserved for schools.

Darley Dale (entertainment from 1.30pm)

The Torch arrives in convoy mode in Darley Dale at around 3.15pm, with three Torch Bearers carrying the Torch along a half-mile stretch of the A6 from the junction of Warney Road to the junction of Green Lane.

Local schools will again be involved and entertainment in the Whitworth Park will start at around 1.30pm, including dance, cycling and archery taster sessions and cream teas in the nearby Dale Road Methodist Church Hall.

At 1.45pm, Red House Stables are organising a horse-drawn parade featuring the Mayor of Darley Dale.

At 3.10pm, a dance performance will take place at the junction of Station Road for the benefit of the crowds and the residents of nearby Underhall.

Please respect designated viewing areas reserved for schools in front of the Whitworth Centre.

Bakewell (entertainment from 9am)

After branching off the A6 for a photo opportunity in front of Chatsworth House at approx 4pm, the Torch arrives in Bakewell. But the fun starts well before that!

From around 9am Derbyshire Dales District Council will be holding its popular Farmers' Market at the Agricultural Business Centre - the first in a special TWO-DAY market. A stall market is also planned in the town, centred around The Crescent.

From 1.30pm, there will be a host of events in and around the District Council's Bakewell Recreation Ground, including a climbing wall, orienteering, flag making, a 'Live on the Lorry' music session, plus golf and cricket taster sessions.

Also from 1.30pm a brass band will play in the District Council's Bath Gardens, where there will also be a well dressing. At 4.30pm the Torch is due to arrive in Bakewell at the town sign on the A619 Baslow Road (known as Pineapple Bridge), then down Aldern Way, passing Newholme Hospital. The Torch enters the town centre over the bridge into Bridge Street, through Rutland Square and then out on the A6 to Buxton.

Road closures include Market Street/Granby Road from 8am to 7pm to clear the way for the special stall market in the Crescent, plus Aldern Way, Castle Mount Crescent, Water Street, Water Lane and North Church Street. The Pig Market car park will also be closed.

Ashbourne (entertainment from 4pm)

Local schools will join in the festivities in Ashbourne, starting from 4pm.

Entertainment includes a Caribbean band and arts exhibition at the Town Hall, dancing in the Market Place, the Highland Gathering Pipe Band and what is expected to be the largest collection of Royal Shrovetide balls, goalers and turners up in the 1000-year plus history of the ancient game, followed by a Shrovetide Procession led by Ashbourne Town Band and the Chairman of the District of the Derbyshire Dales Cllr Tony Millward.

Look out too for District Council sports activities outside Waitrose, community dancing in Compton and Ashbourne Singers in Victoria Square. Please note: to accommodate the entertainment, Dig Street will be closed from 4pm.

At 6pm, the Torch will arrive in Ashbourne at the top of Buxton Hill, then travel through the Market Place (car park closed), turn right onto St John Street (against the usual one-way flow) and left into Dig Street, working through to Compton. The Relay will revert to convoy mode at the bottom of Derby Road.

Space for children to watch the Torch Relay has been allocated in the town centre - please respect the designated schools' viewing area. The Market Place car park will be closed on the day.

After leaving the Derbyshire Dales the Torch Relay makes its way to Derby for an evening celebration - details online.

Minute-by-minute guide to 29 June in the Dales

09:00 Matlock Bridge is closed to traffic
09:00 Extra Farmers' Market starts at Bakewell Agricultural Business Centre (first of two days)
09:00 Special stall market in Bakewell on the riverside near the junction of Granby Road and Market Street
10:00 Steep Turnpike, Matlock, closed to traffic
12:30-12:50 Children from 10 local schools parade from Matlock Bridge to the bandstand in Hall Leys Park. Welcome by Cllr Geoff Stevens, Chairman of Derbyshire Dales District Council
13:00-14:00 Olympicnic on the grassed areas in Hall Leys Park
13:00-14:00 Hall Leys Park events include Spider Monkey Climbing Wall, Face Painting, Tennis Taster sessions, Paralympic multi-sport activities
13:00 Cream teas open for business in the Dale Road Church Hall at Darley Dale + art exhibition and children's games
13:00 Cycling and archery taster sessions in Whitworth Park, Darley Dale
13.30-13.40 Dance Performance in front of Bandstand in Hall Leys Park
13:30 Welcome in Bakewell Recreation Ground by Cllr Mrs Carol Walker and the launch of entertainment there, including flag making, sports activities, a dressage display and the Bakewell Arts Festival Stage with a variety of bands playing 13:45-15:45 and 17:00-21:00
13:30 Dance performance on the grass in front of the Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale
13:45 Parade including the Mayor of Darley Dale in horse-drawn carriage from Red House Stables along Dale Road to Church Street
13:45 The Olympic Torch arrives at Highfields School (Lumsdale site) for a private lunchtime function
13:45 Lady Manners School Band performs in District Council's Bath Gardens, Bakewell
13:45 Well dressing in Bath Gardens - public invited to add petals
14:00 Crowds are told to leave Hall Leys Park and gather on the Torch route in Matlock (school children and disabled people in designated areas)
14:10 Olympic flame arrives (by car) at the base station of the Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath
14:30 Photo opportunity at the top of the Heights of Abraham, including Deputy Chairman of the District of the Derbyshire Dales Cllr Peter Slack
14:30-15:10 Brass Band play outside the entrance to DFS (A6 Darley Dale)
14:45-15:00 Dance performance on the grassed area outside Royal Bank of Scotland, Darley Dale
15:10-16:00 Brass Band plays on the Terrace at Whitworth Centre
15:15 The Torch arrives in Darley Dale on the A6 at the junction with Warney Road
15:30 The flame leaves Darley Dale after being carried by a total of 3 Torch bearers along the A6
16:00 Torch Relay photocall at Chatsworth House
16:00 Entertainment starts in Ashbourne, including Shrovetide Procession from Union Street through town to Compton, led by Ashbourne Town Band and Councillor Tony Millward (Chairman of the District of Derbyshire Dales)
16:00 Other events in Ashbourne include Ashbourne Leisure Centre Come & Try sports sessions next to Waitrose/Civic Square, and a community dance in Compton
16:00-19:00 Caribbean Band perform on the Ashbourne Town Hall Balcony
16:25 Torch Relay arrives in Bakewell at Pineapple Bridge, welcomed by the Town Crier
16:40 After 5 Torch bearers have carried the flame through Bakewell, it makes its way in convoy up to Buxton
17:15 Young Ashbourne Singers perform in Horse and Jockey Yard
17:30 Adaire to Dance performances in the Market Place/ Outside Town Hall in Ashbourne
18:00 Olympic flame arrives in Ashbourne at the top of Buxton Hill. After being carried through the town by 3 Torch bearers, the flame heads off to Derby for an evening celebration