Remembering the time the Olympic Torch came to Taunton

Thousands of residents joined the event, which also featured Somerset Cricket Club captain Marcus Trescothick and international pop star and judge on BBC’s The Voice, will.i.am.

Here is how the Somerset County Gazette covered the event in May 2012.

“They were scenes no one in Somerset will ever forget.

“The sight of the Olympic Torch being carried through Taunton town centre in front of thousands of applauding spectators was truly breathtaking to behold.

“One minute it was a local Cadets leader holding the Torch, the next it was Somerset Cricket Club captain Marcus Trescothick before international pop star – and judge on BBC’s The Voice - will.i.am took centre stage.

“Monday began with a party atmosphere in Taunton as Union flags flew proudly and hundreds of schoolchildren took part in games along North Street, which was closed to traffic for the festivities.

“As the excitement continued to build, the Torch entered the county from the west and crowds gathered in Porlock to greet the flame just before 3.45pm.

“The symbol was carried through Minehead, Dunster, Carhampton, Washford and Williton before it was driven to Taunton, arriving in the town ten minutes behind schedule just after 6.15pm.

“Rumours – reported as part of our live coverage on somersetcountygazette.co.uk – had been spreading throughout the day that a celebrity Torch bearer would be taking part in the event, but it was still a surprise to some to see will.i.am – real name William James Adams Jr – moonwalking down North Street.

“The Torch was finally carried into the County Ground shortly after 7pm where crowds who had been enjoying performances from artists and entertainers since 5pm greeted it with loud applause before the Torch was put ‘to sleep’ for the night, ready for its Tuesday departure.

“Taunton Deane Council put out an appeal to over-excited spectators on Monday evening after it emerged that more than 100 banners bearing the ‘London 2012’ logo had been removed from hoardings around the town.

“The signs were due to have been transported along the Torch route and used again, so the authorities appealed for their return on a ‘no questions asked’ basis.

“One Somerset torch bearer, Sarah Milner Simonds, who carried the flame in Dunster, spoke of her distress after she found herself at the centre of a storm when she tried to sell her Torch on eBay to raise money for a community gardening project.

“Finally, just after 6am on Tuesday, the Torch sailed down the River Tone in front of hundreds more hardy spectators and was whisked into a convoy and away down the A358.

“Suddenly the world’s most famous sporting symbol had gone... but here’s a 12-page souvenir marking a memorable two days.”