Olympic Torch Comes To Wrexham

Thousands of Wrexhamites were up early this morning to welcome the Olympic Torch back to Wales, and into Wrexham. The torch left Chester just before 7am and was welcomed by two North Wales Police cars on the A483 just after the England/Wales border.

The olympic convoy formed up outside Glyndwr University on Mold Road, with the first leg of the torch relay taking place infront of the Racecourse Ground.

The torch is carried along Mold Rd infront of The Turf and Racecourse Ground

Shaun Evans, 21, who has cerebral palsy was one of the first bearers and is shown waiting for the handover with well wishers offering their support.

The first ‘kiss’ of flames, the transferring of the flame from one bearer to another, took place on the corner of Mold Road and Crispin Lane.

The kissing of the flames as the torch bearers meet on Mold Road.

The convoy and torchbearer then proceeded towards town, with the crowds lining the route every step of the way.

People on the railway bridge try and glimpse the torch.

The route then took the torch up Grosvenor Rd around to Chester St where it was due to be taken to Llwyn Isaf outside the Guildhall.

The olympic torch on Grosvenor Road take by @ianyoung82

Llwyn Isaf was packed!

There the torch had a break, after all its hard work being carried around all the time! Lots of performances, speeches and fun was had during the 30mins the flame was outside the Guildhall.

The Guildhall balcony was almost as packed as Llwyn Isaf

Council staff were also watching from the Guildhall window.

Queens Square and Lambpit Street were a hive of activity as people ducked out of Llwyn Isaf and made their way towards High Street hoping to see the torch twice.

Anticipation for the Torch in High St

Lots of the local cafes, bars and shops had opened early. Perhaps the best of the bunch was The Bank pub which had what appeared to be a mini street party happening outside!

Pimms O'Clock On Wrexham High St at 8am

Some builders had a cracking view from their vantage point on the scaffolding above The Bank.

From the High Street the torch made its way down Town Hill towards Brook St.

Josh Hill from Northwich carries the Torch down Town Hill

The crowds thinned out as the flame was carried across Brook Street, however a team from ASDA were grouped on the corner cheering. Traffic was brought to a complete standstill around the route as the convoy crossed Wrexham.

The flame crossing Brook St

Pen-Y-Bryn was the flames next stop, being carried up the hill for another exchange.

The media truck infront of the flame was ever present.

Despite the flame taking only minutes to pass through town the events at Llwyn Isaf continued until 10am.

The party continued at Llwyn Isaf

It then made it’s way to Rhostyllen where @natty_pie sent us the picture below.

The Olympic Torch comes through Station Road in Rhostyllen. Picture by @Natty_pie

Further up there was a huge crowd eagerly awaiting in Acrefair as pictured by Mike Corris.

The Olympic Torch arrives in Acrefair as pictured by @mike_corris

Finally and perhaps most spectacularly the torch went along the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct where it travelled by boat.

The torch travels by boat along Pontcysyllte Aqueduct , picture by @Jord_Maverick.

Crowds at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct as pictured by Wrexham Council.

Llangollen Scouts Leader Joanne Gregory carries the torch at the aqueduct, picture by @wxmmoz.

Check back to Wrexham.com throughout the day as we will be expanding our gallery, and also will have an exclusive video report!  As well as our live twitter updates today , we were also the first local media organisation to reveal that the torch would be coming to town and to announce details of the torch’s route through town, as well as the first to get a report up today!