The Olympic Torch Relay reached Barnard Castle on 20 June 2012. Jack Besford carried the Olympic torch past Bowes Museum.

Jack had been nominated as a torchbearer for his work as a volunteer at his local hospital within the cardiac rehabilitation department. (Full story on the London 2012 web site.)

An article in The Northern Echo, a leading daily regional morning newspaper, described patriotic crowds greeting the torch for the last leg of its North-East journey, creating “a carnival atmosphere that was compared, by many, to a national event in London.”

Previously, on 28 May 2012, Siobhan Besford had carried the torch in Aberystwyth.

Siobhan is a member of the Teignbridge Trotters and on her 18th Birthday ran the London Marathon and raised over £2500 for Great Ormond Street Hospital. She is a qualified swimming teacher and when she is available volunteers as a swimming teacher for Kingsteignton Swimming Club. She is currently giving her time as an assistant explorer scout leader in Aberystwyth where she passes on her enthusiasm with sports to the scouts.

(Story as provided by the Torchbearer’s nominator on the London 2012 website.)

Image: Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle – The Olympic Torch comes through the town. Jack Besford carrying the torch. Picture by Chris Booth 20/06/2012