Inspired island turns out in force for Torch

People took to the streets for their once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Olympic Flame pass by yesterday.

The torch began its day at Portland Bill just after 7am.

It then travelled through Portland, Weymouth town centre, on to Preston, Osmington, Winfrith Newburg and Wool.

Children, adults and even animals lined the street to watch the never-to-be-seen-again events unfold.

Torchbearers proudly carried the flame in a true show of Olympic Spirit, just two weeks before the sailing events take place on Portland.

Weymouth and Portland still seemed to be in the party mood after Thursday evening’s beach concert.

Unlike the downpours which welcomed the torch on Thursday, the rain stayed away as it left, making celebrations even brighter.

Here’s what happened on Day 56 of the Olympic Torch Relay...

Portland Bill, Southwell, Weston and Easton

PORTLAND residents turned out in force at Portland Bill to get Day 56 of the torch relay off to an inspiring start.

Hundreds of people including Budmouth College Combined Cadet Force, the Second Edition Majorettes of Portland and Weymouth South Scouts arrived on site from 5am ready to cheer on the inspirational torchbearers.

Scout Jake Rankin, 12, said: “It’s an amazing opportunity, it’s awesome it’s coming to our town.”

First torchbearer of the day was Wey Valley pupil Tom Mules of Weymouth.

The 16-year-old posed on Pulpit Rock before passing the torch on to Portland’s Dave Darby by the iconic lighthouse.

Mr Darby, aged 74, of Underhill, had worried all week he would sleep in and miss it.

He said: “I’m alright now I’m here, a bit emotional seeing all the people, including my daughter and her husband who came down from Plymouth.”

Mr Darby, nominated for his community and local sports work, enjoyed huge cheers from the crowd.

Borough councillor Sandy West turned out in a Union flag-inspired waistcoat and hat. She said: “It was absolutely amazing. It’s history in the making.”

Torchbearer Stu Skinner continued with the flame and then passed it to Annamaria Fleck, aged 27, of Budapest, who did the longest leg of the journey to Southwell.

• HUGE crowds of islands lined the streets of Southwell, Weston and Easton to cheer on the Olympic flame’s procession.

People and dogs dressed in Union flag colours made a spectacular sight and groups of children and cyclists joyfully raced alongside the torchbearers as they journeyed across the island.

Children from Royal Manor Arts College turned out in force at Weston and among the islanders supporting the relay was Tim Ellis, who carried the flame through Poundbury yesterday.

Christopher Shore aged 61, of Littlehampton, recognised for 40 years community work, passed the flame to young sportsman Barnabas Hardi, aged 14, of Budapest who was nominated for saving the life of a mother and her daughter in a river.

Kirsty Frampton aged 18, of Portland who has lost both her mother and grandfather to cancer and has worked tirelessly to support others facing terminal cancer, was given huge cheers by the crowd.

She passed the flame and high-fived Louise Makin, aged 47, of Gloucester who did a leg before staging a ‘torch kiss’ with Dorset’s Jade Aaliyah Binnie-Martins.

The 17-year-old from Bournemouth, was nominated by her grandmother for being an inspirational young person.

Torchbearer Ysabel Hogg of Gillingham, nominated by her father ‘to prove to her that she is special, and that extra special things do happen to her’ enjoyed large crowds through Easton.

She said: “I was super scared but it was really good fun.”

Fortuneswell

SPLASHES of red, white and blue lined the streets of Fortuneswell as patriotic crowds gathered to see the Olympic torch.

Hundreds of Portland residents, visitors and schoolchildren turned out to wave their flags and cheer on the flame.

Spirits soared as the torch was carried down into the crowds from the iconic beauty spot overlooking Chesil Beach Portland residents Marion and Ian Baird and their children Sulis, Fergus and Rory were among those embracing the Olympic spirit.

Mr Baird said: “It is fantastic to see the torch and the children have really enjoyed the experience.”

Crowds cheered as torchbearer Victoria Mattock, 39, of Gloucester, passed the flame over to Chantel Cockle.

Chantel, also 39, of Bournemouth, said: “It is amazing and really overwhelming. My family have come here to support me.”

Volunteers from Underhill Metho-dist Church were on hand to provide the crowds with free hot dogs and burgers.

One of the volunteers, Marion Matthews said: “The whole idea of the relay is to celebrate the community and we wanted to be part of it.”

John Dickinson, 68, of Bournemouth, carried the torch into crowds of cheering families before they headed to work and school.

He said: “It is fantastic and a real honour. I was nominated for my contribution to Bournemouth Amateur Boxing Club.”

Torchbearer Sophie Johnstone completed the last leg of the Portland relay before it was taken by convoy to Buxton Road, Wyke Regis.