The ExtraCare Charitable Trust have designed their own Olympic Torch, and it is to be taken to each of it's 30 properties throughout the country by various residents from each place, using various means of transport and taking in some significant sights on the way. The route for the Olympic Torch starts here, at St Oswald’s Village, just behind B&Q on St Oswald's Park (near Tesco)next Wednesday (the 29th, at 11am).
Our route, starting on Wednesday 29th February at 11am will take us by Horse and Cart, Scooter, Bicycle and Classic Cars to the training ground for Olympic and Paralympics Equestrian teams, Hartpury College. We will perform a ‘lap of honor’ on the outdoor arena there, watch a training session with young riders, and then enjoy refreshments. From here, we will continue our journey to The International Bird of Prey Centre in Newent. We are to watch a demonstration there, and bring attention to their 45 year anniversary. At the end of the demonstration and photo’s, we will return, with the torch, to St Oswald’s.
On Thursday we will leave St Oswald’s Village with the torch, around 11am, and head to May Hill by mini coach. We will find a suitable parking spot and then continue to take the torch to the top of May Hill, by foot. Our purpose is to find the Jubilee Plaque (erected for the Silver Jubilee in 1977) and to pose for photo’s with it, and with the torch. We will be sending this photo to Buckingham Palace, by way of congratulations to the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee.
On Friday, we will head to Hereford to perform the ‘handover’ with residents and staff from Rose Garden Village, and the ExtraCare Chief Executive Nick Abbey, taking part in a 5 mile ‘jog’ and Cycle ride to complete the journey.
This event presents a really positive image of older people living in a retirement village in Gloucester, who contribute to their community through the support of various charities and organizations including the Alzheimers Society, Help for Heroes and Star College. Many of our residents are volunteers and we obviously have a voice in local issues regarding older people in the community.
If anyone would like to come and wave us off on Wenesday 29th from St Oswald's, you would be made most welcome. It would be great to see anyone along our route too! Please bring your flags and cheer us on as we begin our very own Olympic Challenge!PLEASE CONTACT SCOTT ON 01452 875000 IF YOU CAN HELP US WITH ANY FORMS OF EXCITING TRANSPORT (TRACTOR, HORSE AND CART, CLASSIC CAR ETC) TO HELP US ON OUR JOURNEY. Thank you