The torch, part of which was designed in Essex, will begin its tour of the UK several weeks before the opening ceremony of the Olympics on 27th July and as part of this, the torch will be coming to Rayleigh on the morning of the 6th July 2012. Mark, who as the MP has welcomed the plans for the torch to visit the town, wanted to see for himself exactly what the torch would look like and have the tour explained to him by County Councillor Steven Castle, who represents Rayleigh North at County Hall and who is also the County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Essex’s Olympic preparations.
Speaking about the Olympic Torch and its forthcoming visit to Rayleigh, Mark Francois said:
“I think it is wonderful that on the morning of the 6th July people living in and around Rayleigh will have a chance to come to the town to see the Torch paraded down Rayleigh High Street. As everyone now knows we have an Olympic event in Essex, with the mountain biking taking place in Hadleigh and the main Olympic site itself is only half an hour away by rail at Stratford. I wish Team GB all the best of luck in the Games and I am sure that my constituents from across Rayleigh and Wickford will be roaring them on.”