Page 62 - br-june-2021

June 2021

The police runners escorting me on my

run were wonderful. “You’re doing great
Bob, keep it up” said one as I ran the
whole way very slowly to milk the
moment! As we got to the finish, the little
Davey lamp which was to carry the
flame between the villages was brought
out of the bus for me to light with my
torch. However, even with assistance, I
was unable to light it because of the
driving rain. A decision was made to
retreat to the shelter of the bus where I
was then able to ignite it for its journey to
the next village of Portesham.
My moment had come and gone but the
memories will linger for ever. My fellow
torchbearers were there to greet me
back on the bus. After picking up the last
two runners at Portesham, we headed
back to Bridport whilst the torch gas
cylinders were being decommissioned.
We were handed our own torches (each
of the 8,000 torches is unique) as we disembarked the bus.

Diana was there to greet me and we shared some of our experiences as she
drove me back to Abbotsbury through thick fog and rain for the family party in
the Ilchester Arms. What a greeting we had and there was again warm applause
and I was very touched to receive a bottle of champagne from Gina and the
East Dorset Open Water Swimming Club. Pretty well everyone in the pub wanted
their picture taken with me and the torch, a superb way to end an amazing day.
Like most volunteers involved in grassroots sport, I have spent the last 60 years of
my life in swimming because I enjoy it and get so much from the sport. I have felt
happy to pass on this infectious love of swimming and have made many life long
friends who share my passion.
What my torch bearing day showed me was how much people appreciated my
contribution and I was representing them with any small achievement I may have
attained over the years.
As I looked back over the day, there was lump in my throat and I began to well
up with the pride in being given this special honour. The torch will remain with me
and then my family as a permanent reminder but the memories of the day will last
forever!

Bob Holman

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