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 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 convoy and torchbearer then proceeded towards town, with the crowds lining the route every step of the way.
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.
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.
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.
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!
From the High Street the torch made its way down Town Hill towards Brook St.
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.
Pen-Y-Bryn was the flames next stop, being carried up the hill for another exchange.
Despite the flame taking only minutes to pass through town the events at Llwyn Isaf continued until 10am.
It then made it’s way to Rhostyllen where @natty_pie sent us the picture below.
Further up there was a huge crowd eagerly awaiting 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.
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!
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