As a key part of Monmouthshire’s preparations to be Wales’ entry point for the Olympic Torch on 25th May, Monmouth’s Shire Hall will play host to the Olympic 2012 Following The Flame exhibition from 7th to 28th May 2012. The exhibition is at the centre of Wales’ response to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, using the build up to the Games as the main stimulus to explore and celebrate the inspiring history of often forgotten Welsh men and women who’ve attended past games – whether as competitors, officials, coaches, administrators or spectators. The exhibition is free to attend and will be open from 10am to 4pm.
A council spokesperson said: “The focus of this Wales wide project is to create an important new living history of Welsh participation in the Olympics and Paralympics. This “people’s history” will ensure that the story is told through the experiences of actual participants at whatever level they engaged. It is an inspiring new picture of the social, geographic, economic, cultural and political realities which have continually shaped our lives (as well as our sports) over the past century and more since the Olympics were revived in Athens in 1896.”
Monmouthshire County Council’s Mike Booth, General Manager at Shire Hall, said: “Shire Hall is an integral part of the Monmouth community and we are delighted to be involved in the Following The Flame exhibition. Shire Hall is passionate about learning and we welcome schools and colleges at the exhibition.”
The Olympic Torch enters Wales through Monmouthshire on May 25th. Arriving first in Monmouth, it will go on to visit Raglan and Abergavenny before travelling on through Wales. Full details of how you can see the Torch can be found at http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/OlympicTorchGuide.
Shire Hall welcomes all visitors, the exhibition is free to attend and will be open from 10am to 4pm. For further information please contact 01600 775257 or visit the website www.shirehallmonmouth.org.uk. Shire Hall is owned and managed by Monmouthshire County Council.
