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Welcome to Christ Church, Blacklands & St. Andrew, Laton Road, Hastings

Tuesday 17th July 2012

I felt very honoured at having been nominated to carry the Olympic torch on Tuesday 17th July by a fellow member of Hastings Runners. It was difficult to believe when I received a telephone call informing me that my nomination had been accepted, especially when I felt that there were other club members whose nominations had not been accepted and I thought to be far more worthy than me.

Eventually 17th July arrived and sporting the supplied uniform I met at the town hall with the other people chosen to be torch bearers in the Hastings area. We were received by the Mayor and joined by MP Amber Rudd and the sports minister Hugh Robertson. We were briefed by the LOCOG staff before being transported by coach to Bridge Way on the Bexhill Road. Whilst waiting for the convoy that was to form the procession, we had to introduce ourselves to the LOCOG staff and fellow bearers and say a little about the reasons behind our nominations. As we waited we could see the crowds starting to assemble along the Bexhill Road ahead of us and a few nerves crept in. Could we do it? The LOCOG staff  were wonderful. They made us all feel very special. With the arrival of the flame and accompanying convoy the first torch bearer descended from the coach to loud cheers from the crowd as the torch was lit and we set off. The crowd support was amazing all along the route. As we reached Warrior Square it was my turn to leave the coach armed with my torch. Although we had seen the reception each bearer received as they set off on their 300 metre stint I was totally unprepared for the roar of the supporters as I received the flame and as I turned to face them I realised that most of them were my family, church members or Hastings Runners. As I staggered along with the torch I noticed many of you were accompanying me and were there again as I passed the flame to the next bearer. It was fantastic to have you there with me and to share the pride of being a torchbearer.

A few days after this event I was invited to attend the end of term assemblies with the torch at the Blacklands primary school. The reaction of the children was incredible and many of them took photos of the torch, as did members of the teaching staff.

As so many of the torch bearers and supporters have said it was “a once in a lifetime experience” and I am so grateful for having the opportunity and the support throughout the whole experience.

If any of you have children or grandchildren who would like to hold the torch or to have the chance to for you to take a photo of them please do contact me, or of course you might like the opportunity yourself!. My telephone number is 01424 432258.

Paul Cabban

Our own Paul Cabban was an Olympic Torch Bearer