TALENTED gymnasts, fencers and wheelchair basketballers are just some of the people who will be lighting up Wharf Green when the Olympic Flame arrives in the town centre.

The town will be transformed into a blaze of fun and sporting festivities from 11.30am until 2.20pm in celebration of the arrival of the torch on Wednesday after it has travelled through Chiseldon, Wroughton and Royal Wootton Bassett.

The Olympic icon will make its first appearance in Swindon when it arrives in Kingshill Road at 1pm, and it will be in front of crowds in Wharf Green at 1.35pm.

Among the groups performing in the festivities under the big screen is Swindon Fencing Club, which will include 14 fencers aged from eight-years-old to their late 60s.

Neil Bromley, president of the club, said: “The important thing as far as fencing is concerned is it is one of the original sports from the Olympic games dating back to 1896.

“Everyone from the club is very excited about the performance. We can’t wait to get involved.”

The fencing club will also be joined by representatives from the Great British veterans team, the Wiltshire national team, county and regional champions, and absolute beginners.

The torch will travel up Kingshill, passing the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, before turning down Victoria Road and reaching the town centre.

The torch relay will stop at Wharf Green for a host of entertainment.

After navigating the magic roundabout, the flame will travel along Great Western Way and North Star Avenue and finish its journey at the BMW Plant in Bridge End Road.

Entertainment in Wharf Green will include a wheelchair basketball exhibition match at 11.30am, primary schools parading from the cenotaph to the live site at midday, followed by flips and tricks from Espirit gymnastics.

The day will have extra resonance for Esprit Gymnastics as one of their members, Jade Faulkner, will be competing at the Games in group rhythmic gymnastics.

Swindon Dance will also be performing.

TOWN CENTRE

  • 11.30: Wheelchair basketball
  • 12.00: School procession to Wharf Green from Cenotaph
  • 12.05: Esprit Gymnastics 12.15: Procession arrives at Wharf Green
  • 12.25: Swindon Fencing Club
  • 12.45: Swindon Dance
  • 13.00: Interview with Olympians
  • 13.15: Aerial artists
  • 13.30: Special Olympic film
  • 13.35: Olympic Torch arrival
  • 13.45: Procession leaves Wharf Green
  • 13.50: Esprit Display Team
  • 14.00: Bollywood Dancers
  • 14.20: End

TRACKING THE TORCH

  • 11.57: Torch arrives in Chiseldon, New Road
  • 11.57: New Road (B4005)
  • 11.59: Hodson Road (B4005)
  • 12.07: Wroughton
  • 12.07: Brimble Hill (B4005)
  • 12.13: Devizes Road (A4361)
  • 12.18: Wharf Road (B4005)
  • 12.32: Arrives in Royal Wootton Bassett, Noremarsh Road
  • 12.38: Station Road
  • 12.43: High Street (A3102)
  • 13.00: Torch arrives in Swindon, Kingshill Road
  • 13.10: Bath Road (A4289)
  • 13.14: Victoria Road
  • 13.20: Crombey Street
  • 13.27: Curtis Street
  • 13.28: Commercial Road
  • 13.29: Market Street
  • 13.35: Live Site – Wharf Green
  • 13.35: Market Street
  • 13.36: Commercial Road
  • 13.40: Princes Street
  • 13.41: Clarence Street
  • 13.42: Groundwell Road
  • 13.48: Drove Road (B4289)
  • 13.51: County Road (A4259)
  • 13.58: Great Western Way (B4289)
  • 14.07: North Star Avenue
  • 14.08: Swindon College
  • 15.12 Gypsy Lane (B4143)
  • 15.14: Bridge End Road (B4143)

Emma Langhorne, dance education and development manager, said: “Swindon Dance is delighted to be involved.”