Sparks instead of flame for Olympic year in Tendring (From Gazette)

Sparks instead of flame for Olympic year in Tendring

5:00pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Harwich & Manningtree By Owen Bennett

The Olympic Flame may not be coming to Tendring, but there will see be sparks in Harwich.

Harwich will be the first place in Essex to play host to the Olympic-themed ‘Sparks Will Fly’ event.

Marina Mightier, one of two character champions played by stilted performers and created under the Sparks Will Fly banner, will arrive at Harwich Quay by 56ft wooden schooner on May 18 and then join in the Harwich Children’s Carnival and parade to Harwich Green.

Then, just two days later, Marina Mightier will parade with an entourage of around 200 people from Cliff Park, along the seafront, and end up at Dovercourt Swimming Pool linking in with the Tour de Tendring to be staged on the same day.

Tendring Council leader Neil Stock said the event will provide both Harwich and Tendring as a whole with a tangible link to the London 2012 Games.

The county-wide event will end when the Olympic torch reaches Chelmsford on July 6.

For more information about Sparks will Fly in Essex visit www.sparkswillfly.org.uk from March.