Olympic Flame departs Cumbria

The Olympic Flame bid farewell to Cumbria this morning after a stunning 36-hour journey which will be forever remembered by those who saw it weave its way around the county.

Tens of thousands of people flocked to see the Flame on it's journey through Brough, Appleby, Penrith, and Carlisle twice (the only city in England to have such an honour), as well as Wigton, Aspatria, Maryport, Flimby, Workington, Whitehaven, Cockermouth, Keswick, Grasmere and Ambleside, Bowness and penultimately Kendal where it visited first thing this morning before entertaining the crowds in Milnthorpe and setting off across the county border into Lancashire.

Huge crowds at every location showed the world how passionate Cumbrian welcome along the length of the Olympic Torch Relay route, with many more people pouring into the evening celebrations in Carlisle and Bowness.

The hugely successful visit was overseen by a range of organisations to help ensure that while in Cumbria the Olympic Flame enjoyed a trouble free and seamless visit.

The key organisations involved were:

Cumbria Constabulary
Cumbria County Council (including Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Cumbria Highways, and emergency planning)
Carlisle City Council
South Lakeland District Council
Copeland Borough Council
Eden District Council
Allerdale Borough Council
NHS Cumbria
The Environment Agency
Mountain Rescue

Commenting on the success of the visit Eddie Martin, Leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “It's events like this that make you really proud to live in Cumbria.

"The crowds have been fantastic instigating a real carnival atmosphere and supporting our torch bearers through sun and rain – it wouldn’t be Cumbria without a bit of rain!

"It's important however that we take time to recognise the efforts of all those organisation behind the scenes that have made this visit what it is from crowd control from Cumbria police to highways and traffic management to keep the roads clear for all the Torchbearers.

"This has really brought Cumbria together and it shows what we can all achieve when we really pull together. This has been a marvellous opportunity to showcase our beautiful county to the world and I hope they've enjoyed watching as much as we've enjoyed the experience."

Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Skeer from Cumbria Constabulary added: "The Olympic Torch Relay has been one of the largest ever pre-planned policing operations Cumbria Constabulary has been involved in and the months of hard work and planning paid off.

"It was great to see thousands of people taking part in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by lining the streets and enjoying themselves during the night time events. The atmosphere throughout Cumbria has been fantastic and despite the large numbers of people, there were no crimes or significant incidents which is a reflection of the excitement and community feeling across the county.

"I would like to thank all the officers and staff who have worked extremely hard over the last few months to make this such a success. Once again we have showcased Cumbria and I’m proud that Cumbria Constabulary, alongside partner agencies, the Metropolitain police and other police Forces has helped to bring the spirit of the Olympics to Cumbria."

"It was great to see thousands of people taking part in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by lining the streets and enjoying themselves during the night time events. The atmosphere throughout Cumbria has been fantastic and despite the large numbers of people, there were no crimes or significant incidents which is a reflection of the excitement and community feeling across the county.

"I would like to thank all the officers and staff who have worked extremely hard over the last few months to make this such a success. Once again we have showcased Cumbria and I’m proud that Cumbria Constabulary, alongside partner agencies, the Metropolitain police and other police Forces has helped to bring the spirit of the Olympics to Cumbria."

Andy Worthington, Chairman of the Nations and Regions group in the North West said: "I would like to thank all of the local authorities, emergency services and volunteers for the fantastic work they have done in support of the Torch Relay as it’s passed through Cumbria, and thank those communities that have come out to line the route and make this once in a lifetime occasion such a success.”

The Olympic Flame bid farewell to Cumbria this morning after a stunning 36-hour journey which will be forever remembered by those who saw it weave its way around the county.

Tens of thousands of people flocked to see the Flame on it's journey through Brough, Appleby, Penrith, and Carlisle twice (the only city in England to have such an honour), as well as Wigton, Aspatria, Maryport, Flimby, Workington, Whitehaven, Cockermouth, Keswick, Grasmere and Ambleside, Bowness and penultimately Kendal where it visited first thing this morning before entertaining the crowds in Milnthorpe and setting off across the county border into Lancashire.

Huge crowds at every location showed the world how passionate Cumbrian welcome along the length of the Olympic Torch Relay route, with many more people pouring into the evening celebrations in Carlisle and Bowness.

The hugely successful visit was overseen by a range of organisations to help ensure that while in Cumbria the Olympic Flame enjoyed a trouble free and seamless visit.

The key organisations involved were:

Cumbria Constabulary
Cumbria County Council (including Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Cumbria Highways, and emergency planning)
Carlisle City Council
South Lakeland District Council
Copeland Borough Council
Eden District Council
Allerdale Borough Council
NHS Cumbria
The Environment Agency
Mountain Rescue

Commenting on the success of the visit Eddie Martin, Leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “It's events like this that make you really proud to live in Cumbria.

"The crowds have been fantastic instigating a real carnival atmosphere and supporting our torch bearers through sun and rain – it wouldn’t be Cumbria without a bit of rain!

"It's important however that we take time to recognise the efforts of all those organisation behind the scenes that have made this visit what it is from crowd control from Cumbria police to highways and traffic management to keep the roads clear for all the Torchbearers.

"This has really brought Cumbria together and it shows what we can all achieve when we really pull together. This has been a marvellous opportunity to showcase our beautiful county to the world and I hope they've enjoyed watching as much as we've enjoyed the experience."

Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Skeer from Cumbria Constabulary added: "The Olympic Torch Relay has been one of the largest ever pre-planned policing operations Cumbria Constabulary has been involved in and the months of hard work and planning paid off.

"It was great to see thousands of people taking part in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by lining the streets and enjoying themselves during the night time events. The atmosphere throughout Cumbria has been fantastic and despite the large numbers of people, there were no crimes or significant incidents which is a reflection of the excitement and community feeling across the county.

"I would like to thank all the officers and staff who have worked extremely hard over the last few months to make this such a success. Once again we have showcased Cumbria and I’m proud that Cumbria Constabulary, alongside partner agencies, the Metropolitain police and other police Forces has helped to bring the spirit of the Olympics to Cumbria."

"It was great to see thousands of people taking part in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by lining the streets and enjoying themselves during the night time events. The atmosphere throughout Cumbria has been fantastic and despite the large numbers of people, there were no crimes or significant incidents which is a reflection of the excitement and community feeling across the county.

"I would like to thank all the officers and staff who have worked extremely hard over the last few months to make this such a success. Once again we have showcased Cumbria and I’m proud that Cumbria Constabulary, alongside partner agencies, the Metropolitain police and other police Forces has helped to bring the spirit of the Olympics to Cumbria."

Andy Worthington, Chairman of the Nations and Regions group in the North West said: "I would like to thank all of the local authorities, emergency services and volunteers for the fantastic work they have done in support of the Torch Relay as it’s passed through Cumbria, and thank those communities that have come out to line the route and make this once in a lifetime occasion such a success.”