Pupils light the flame

Ahead of the Olympic torch relay which comes to Rotherham in June, youngsters have created their own torch which will make its way around schools in the area.

The Lighting the Flame project will visit schools in the Maltby, Dinnington, Wales and Aston areas over the next few weeks.

Students and staff at Thrybergh School and Sports College have worked to create the torch and its journey will be the basis for a whole host of sports and Olympics related learning opportunities at both primary and secondary schools.

Joyce Thacker, strategic director for Children and Young People’s Services at Rotherham Council, said: “The project will help take the Olympic spirit into every community in Rotherham as we invite them all to join in when the actual Olympic Torch Relay comes through the Borough.”

“I’m sure the flame will ignite every student’s enthusiasm for learning.”

The torch comes to schools in the Maltby area on 24th and 25th April, Dinnington schools on 26th and 27th April, schools in the Wales area on 30th April and 1st May and those in Aston on 2nd and 3rd May.

It will end at The Rotherham Children’s Festival being held at the Magna Science and Adventure Centre from 18th June to 13th July.

Matthew Beck, chief executive of Magna, said: “Its hugely exciting for Magna to have the schools torch here as well as the actual Olympic Torch which will be with us on 26th June.”

“The inside of this magnificent historical building will provide a dramatic backdrop for both events.”