One of the London 2012 Olympic torches has recently made its way in to the collections at the Manx Museum courtesy of Lloyds TSB and one of the Isle of Man torch bearers Ian “Wagga” Williams!
The success of the 2012 Summer Olympics is still fresh in the memory and for many in the Isle of Man the sense of excitement surrounding the games really began on 2nd June when the torch relay made its way to our shores. Thirty-eight torch bearers carried the flame around the Island where it also travelled by lifeboat, horse tram and sidecar.
Peter Reid, Island Director of Lloyds Bank said:
"The experience of seeing the Olympic Flame travel around the UK in so many unique ways is a memory that will last a lifetime for everyone who saw the relay and everyone who took part. Lloyds TSB are delighted to have been part of this legacy and we are proud to be able to support the donation of Ian’s Olympic Torch to the Isle of Man’s National Collections”.
The 2012 Olympic torch was designed by east Londoners Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, who won the opportunity through a competitive tender run by the London 2012 Organising Committee and the Design Council. The torch is made up of an inner and an outer aluminium alloy skin, held in place by a cast top piece and base, perforated by 8,000 circles. These circles represent the inspirational stories of the 8,000 torchbearers who carried the Olympic flame on a journey of about 8,000 miles throughout the British Isles.
Sport has been high on the agenda at Manx National Heritage ever since the opening of the major exhibition Our Sporting Life in November 2011 which coincided with the staging of the Youth Commonwealth Games in the Isle of Man. The exhibition brought to the fore the sporting stories of Manx men and women from elite Olympic athletes to members of community-run clubs.
Lloyds TSB contacted Manx National Heritage following the Olympic torch relay and agreed to sponsor the purchase of Ian William’s Olympic torch for the Isle of Man’s national museum collections. Ian, or “Wagga” as he is known to his friends, is the Rugby Development Manager for the Sports Development Institute and carried the torch on the Onchan leg of its journey.
The Olympic torch has already had outings to the Royal Show where it proved a popular draw for the crowds. And in July it made an appearance at the NSC as part of the Olympic Sports Week Closing Ceremony organised for young people by the Community Sports Development Officer. The flame is a symbol of the Olympic Games and its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympic Games.
Edmund Southworth, Director of Manx National Heritage said:
“Manx National Heritage is delighted to accept Ian’s Olympic torch into the collection as a symbol of a remarkable summer of sport and as testimony to the sporting achievements of Manx men and women. The torch will form an important part on the national collections and our memory of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The torch will held in the care of Manx National Heritage for both present and future generations to enjoy. We plan to exhibit the torch in suitable locations around the Island and hope this will inspire more people to become involved in sport”.
Photo caption - Edmund Southworth and Tony Pass of Manx National Heritage, Ian “Wagga” Williams, Peter Reid of Lloyds TSB and the Hon Graham Cregeen MHK.
