Thousands turn out to watch Olympic Torch
Thousands of people braved the prospect of thunder storms to line the route of the Olympic Torch Relay as it passed through the area today.
The event threatened to be a washout as thunder, lightning and heavy rain hit before the Torch was due.
However, skies brightened enough for the relay procession to be well supported by enthusiastic crowds.
Newark Market Place was a sea of people all clamouring for the best view of the Torch as it passed through on day 41 of its 70-day relay.
Workers leaned out of first floor windows for an elevated view.
Hundreds of flags were waved in what was a carnival atmosphere, albeit under umbrellas. Trumpets and horns passed out prior to the torch's arrival provided a din in the market place.
Police motorcycle outriders preceded the torch convoy, at one point one rider high-fived a St John Ambulance volunteer.
The torchbearer was cheered as he jogged through, clearly swelled with pride by the rapturous applause - applause that continued for a gentleman in a disability cart who tagged himself on to the end of the procession waving as he went.
James Martin, 11, commandeered himself a Royal Mail postman's trolley for a better view.
James, of Beacon Hill, Newark, said: "I wanted to see the torch because this is probably be probably the first and last chance I will have to see it."
Hundreds lined London Road, Balderton, to see the torch pass by.
Many school children were in the crowd, having been given the day or afternoon off especially for the occasion.
The Grove Leisure Centre, Balderton, was the reception point for the torchbearers after the relay finished at the junction of London Road and Main Street.
A bus carried the torchbearers back to the leisure centre, where a torch relay official told them they were all very special people.
They included Grove School pupil Sam White, 15, of Newark.
He said: "There was just a really good buzz everywhere.
"It was good to see everyone supporting me and everyone else who was with us."
Sam said there was a big cheer when he got off the bus outside Newark Parish Church to carry the torch through the Market Place.
The relay began its journey through Nottinghamshire in Darlton, and was passing through East Markham, Tuxford, Ollerton and Boughton, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Kelham, Newark, Balderton, Radcliffe, West Bridgford and Nottingham.
Around 500 people lined the streets of Kelham.
Mr Richard Eaton, 36, of Cranwell, a trustee of Brain Tumour UK carried the torch a short distance through the village past The Fox public house and over Kelham Bridge.
Among those in the crowd were pupils from schools in the area including Lowe's Wong Infants' and Junior Schools, and the Minster School, Southwell, Bleasby Primary School, Muskham Primary School and Manners Sutton Primary School, Averham.
Before the road closed for the relay passing lorry drivers beeped their horns and waved to the assembled crowds.
More than 5,000 people lined the streets of Radcliffe as the torch relay passed through the village.
With Main Road packed to the rafters, a further 5,000 spectators, who could not find a spot to line the torch route, watched the relay live on big screens at the Wharf Lane Recreation Ground.
Mrs Diane Vandermark, 68, of Woodland Close, Radcliffe, said: "I never in a million years thought the Olympic torch would come to a little village like Radcliffe, I am still in shock at seeing it."
For a full round-up and a chance to spot yourself in the crowds, see Thursday's Advertiser.
