A GREY Monday morning turned into a riot of colour and carnival spirit as the Olympic Torch lit up the centre of Dunstable.
An estimated 10,000 people turned out for the parade, which saw a procession of torchbearers carry the flame along Luton Road, Church Street and High Street North.
By 6.30am, people keen to catch a glimpse of the relay were beginning to secure their viewing spots, and by the time the flame entered High Street North at about 7.45am, the pavements were filled with crowds of onlookers.
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Among the torchbearers were Penny Green from Eaton Bray and former rugby player Matt King, who was left paralysed after sustaining a serious spinal injury in 2004.
Penny, 51, of Cantilupe Close, was nominated to carry the torch for her work with the Down’s Heart Group, of which she is director.
She began working with the charity after the death of her son Daniel, who had Down’s Syndrome and heart and bowel problems, in 1989.
Speaking after the relay, she said: “It was incredible. There were so many people waving and cheering. I even saw one of my friends who is supposed to be on her honeymoon. It’s going to take me quite a while to come down from this.”
Some of the biggest cheers on the morning were for 25-year-old Matt, of Wixams, near Elstow, Beds, who was paralysed from the neck down after suffering a serious spinal injury in 2004.
“It’s been an amazing experience,” he said.
“I was massively proud and excited to be involved.
“I’m sure I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.
“The crowds were amazing, they gave us so much support. When the bus turned the corner into the high street the atmosphere was unbelievable.
“I was feeling nervous but when I saw the crowds it spurred me on to do it, and I just tried to savour it and enjoy the moment. For everyone to come out at that time in the morning, that was true British spirit.”
The Dunstable leg ended at 8.05am at French’s Avenue, where the torch switched to ‘convoy mode’ to make its way to Milton Keynes.
The torchbearers were taken back on a separate bus to Grove House, where they were welcomed by friends, family and dignitaries including Central Beds Council chairman Angela Barker.
She said: “It’s been incredible, a fantastic morning for everybody. It was a carnival, it was party time, it was one of those magic moments.
“People who were here this morning will remember this forever. We were very privileged to have the torch here today, and it’s great that people came out first thing in the morning to see it. “We had members of staff out from 3am preparing the town, and we are very grateful to everybody involved. The logistics were monumental.”
Organisation for the event involved Central Beds Council, Dunstable Town Council, Bedfordshire Police, the St John Ambulance and workers from highways engineering firm Amey, who assisted with road closures and diversions while the torch was in town.
Many businesses took the opportunity to open early to cater for the crowds, with Union Jack flags selling like hot cakes and tea and coffee bolstering the bleary-eyed.
Central Beds Council leader James Jamieson said: “It was a great event for Dunstable and I was very pleased to see so many places open for business.
“We are trying hard to regenerate the town and this just shows what we can do when things come together.”
Among those who were there to witness the torch were Tarnside Close mum Jo Patis, 35, and her sons Ben, seven, and seven-month-old Olly.
She said: “I wanted to come down because this probably won’t happen again in my lifetime. It’s lovely to see so many people down here and the organisation has all gone very smoothly.”
Terry Bates, 54, of Spoondell, and his daughter Louise, 28, took along their British bulldogs Bruno and Harry, who were resplendent in Union Jack neckerchiefs.
Terry said: “We’re not ever likely to see this again, so we decided to turn out and show our support.”
Louise added: “It’s like the jubilee all over again, there are so many people and everyone’s in great spirits.”