Olympic torch sets off on its second day in Reading

Maxwell Kusi Obodum • Published 11 Jul 2012 10:30 4 Comments

THE Olympic Torch has set off from Reading on its 54th day of the nationwide relay.

PC Lee Umpleby was the first torchbearer to receive the flame setting off from

Caversham Court Gardens at 7.59am, played out of the park by Reading Scottish Pipe band.

Thousands of excited townsfolk gathered from as early as 6.15am to cheer him on and before the relay the 34-year-old, nominated for the honour after saving a man attempting to jump from the IDR overbridge and commended for tackling a man threatening his wife and baby with a Samuri sword, said: "I'm very excited but very nervous."

Carol Evans, 60, from Caversham Heights, stood near the park gates to watch him pass. She said: "It just took my breath away. It's good to be here and we are so lucky with the weather."

The torch made its way along Church Road, Caversham Bridge, along the River Thames footpath to Christchurch Meadows and the town centre and into Whitely. At Hartland Road is was driven in convoy to Castle Hill and made its way along the A4 Bath Road through Southcote, Tilehurst and Calcot. At Charrington Road it was driven in convoy to Theale before heading to Thatcham and Newbury.

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This article appeared in Local Berkshire 11 Jul 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Ali Bongo
  Unregistered User
  Jul 11, 10:53
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  Can someone please explain to me what is so exciting about an adult running a few yards down a road holding a bit of burning wood cased in metal? I know with the recession it may count as cheap entertainment but c'mon!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 26     No 20

• 

  HAMHAMsterMan
  Unregistered User
  Jul 11, 12:20
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  It isn't wood. It's gas.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 4     No 21

• 

  Readingperson
  Unregistered User
  Jul 11, 13:25
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  YAAAAAAWN
  
  Recommend?   Yes 19     No 3

• 

  Tarquin
  Unregistered User
  Jul 11, 15:23
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  You feel it to eh fella? The slow, deathly crawl of taxpayer funded tripe all in the supposed name of sport. I'll say one thing for new Tory, they'd give old Labour a run for their money in wasting vast quantities of public funding. Still on a plus whilst hospitals and schools are going to the dogs we can watch a load of mostly non-indigenous runners carry that there torch. Good innit?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 23     No 9

• 

  ******
  Jul 12, 08:41
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