Olympic Torch relay update - Day 49: Olympic Flame visits Hadleigh Farm on its journey from Ipswich to Chelmsford

On Friday 6 July, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay travelled 117 miles from Ipswich to Chelmsford.


The day began at Christchurch Mansion

The Flame was carried through 14 communities by 138 Torchbearers including Olympian Swimmer Mark Foster.

The day started at Christchurch Mansion House where the Flame was transferred from the lantern to the first Torch of the day.

Promising young athlete Emily Rogers, 18, from Bury St Edmunds was the day's first Torchbearer, having been nominated through the LOCOG campaign.

Highlights of the day included the Flame visiting Hadleigh Farm – the venue for the Mountain Bike competition at London 2012 – where it was carried on a mountain bike by fitness instructor Kim Axford from Canvey Island.

Mark Foster, one of Britain’s most successful swimmers, carried the Flame in Southend-on-Sea having been nominated for his contribution to swimming and inspiring young athletes through his support of Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week.

The evening celebration took place at Hylands House in Chelmsford at 5pm. The line up included music from Morning Parade, a dance troupe who provided a unique fusion of street performance, theatre and sport, and dance act Twist and Pulse, from Britain's Got Talent fame.

The Flame was carried through the following communities: Ipswich, Colchester, Hatfield Peverel, Heybridge, Maldon, Rayleigh, Southend-on-Sea, Hadleigh, Basildon, Grays, Herongate, Brentwood and Chelmsford.