Thousands welcomed Olympic Flame
Published 8 Jun 2012 16:30
THOUSANDS of people turned out in Lochwinnoch today (Friday) to welcome the Olympic Flame.
A street parade and wide range of entertainment kept the big crowd happy before the iconic Flame arrived.
Janice Hendrie, 56, from Greenock was first to carry the Torch in Lochwinnoch at 2pm.
She then passed on the 'torch kiss' to local girl Natalie Still, 18, from Johnstone.
It was a moment the teenager will never forget.
Natalie said: "Carrying the torch was an incredible experience - once in a lifetime.
"It was great to see so many people taking the time out to see the relay and hopefully like me they'll have memories which will last forever.
"I'm so thankful to everyone who came along today and I will treasure the time I spent during the relay forever."
The third Torchbearer was Vegard Sjursen, 27, from Norway who passed the 'torch kiss' onto Lochwinnoch's fourth and final Torchbearer Jennifer Sundqvist, 27, from Sweden, before the Torch headed for Kilmacolm.
Renfrewshire's Provost Anne Hall unveiled a commemorative plaque at the McKillop Institute after the Torch Relay left Lochwinnoch.
She said: "My congratulations go to Natalie Still on what would have been a very proud moment to carry the Flame through her area, and of course to the other Torchbearers who travelled here to help make this an unforgettable day.
"I'd also like to thank the community and everyone who took part in or helped organise what proved to be a very special day for Lochwinnoch and Renfrewshire."
This article appeared in The Gazette 08 Jun 12
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