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| Bells to be rung across the UK to celebrate the first day of Olympic Games [PHOTO: Chris Watt/London 2012] |
London: With one week to go the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games, millions of people across the UK are preparing to join in a day of celebrations on Friday the 27 July.
The day will begin with bells ringing across the UK, as quickly and loudly as possible, at 8.12am for three minutes. This is part of the London 2012 Festival commission 'All The Bells' by Turner Prize winning artist Martin Creed.
Anyone can take part by ringing any kind of bell for three minutes – from change ringing experts to enthusiastic children with hand bells, bicycle bells and doorbells.
Friday 27 July marks the final day of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. After being carried through the world's oldest hedge maze at Hampton Court Palace the Flame will board The Queen’s Rowbarge 'Gloriana' where a ceremonial cauldron will be lit.
Over the course of the morning seven Torchbearers on board the Gloriana will light a Torch from the cauldron and carry the Flame for about eight minutes each.
The finale to the public participation in the Torch Relay will see the last Torchbearer on the Gloriana carry the Flame to Tower Bridge at approximately 12.45pm. The Flame will then remain out of view until it appears at the Opening Ceremony that evening.
The worldwide broadcast of Danny Boyle's 'Isles of Wonder' Olympic Opening Ceremony will commence at 9pm to an estimated audience of 1 billion people around the world.
“Millions of people across the UK are preparing to actively take part in celebrations that will mark the arrival of the world’s greatest athletes to the London 2012 Games,” said Seb Coe, LOCOG chair.
He asserted, “From ringing in the Games with the London 2012 Festival, lining the street on the Olympic Torch Relay's final route, to Danny Boyle's spectacular Opening Ceremony, as a nation we are ready to welcome the world to London and the UK for the world's greatest sporting event.”