Wednesday, June 27, 2012

News: Rotherham businesses welcome Olympic Torch

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The Magna Science Adventure Centre played a spectacular part in the Olympic Torch relay that passed through Rotherham this week.

The symbolic flame was carried through the former massive Templeborough steel works by children's poet Debjani Chatterjee as part of the torch's 70-day relay around the UK.

He was greeted by local schoolchildren and businesspeople and photographed with the torch alongside the "Big Melt", a huge original electric arc furnace which dramatically roars back to life with pyrotechnics and sound to recreate the steel-making process.

Karen Staniforth, marketing manager at Magna, said: "Magna aims to not only inspire interest in science for the future but to preserve the history of steel making.

"Often taken for granted, steel is the backbone of Great Britain and most activities we do every day involve steel. The cars we drive, the roads we drive them, world travel, space travel – all involve steel. Even products that don't contain steel are made using steel machinery.

"The Rotherham and Sheffield region as a whole is inextricably linked with the history of steel and it is still important to our economy today. We hope the Olympic torch will help shine a light on this heritage."

More than 30,000 people lined the streets as the torch made its way through the borough. Templeborough print company, Horner Brothers celebrated with a "GB day" and Brinsworth-based manufacturers, the MTL Group, celebrated their own employee, Anita Adams and her role as a torchbearer.

Henry Shirman, Managing Director at MTL Group, said: "One of the key themes of the Olympic Torch Relay is about generating pride in communities across the nation. MTL Group is proud of its role in the community and we are delighted that Anita has been selected for the role.

"Since her appointment as HR Manager in 2010, she has been involved in the recruitment over 150 people here at MTL Group."

Thousands cheered on the torchbearers through All Saints Square and Clifton Park, with thousands more on the streets through the town centre, East Dene, Dalton and Thrybergh.

Councillor Roger Stone, Leader of Rotherham MBC, said: "People from across Rotherham have again shown what a fantastic community spirit there is here by turning out in their thousands for our moment to shine.

"I was lucky enough to be able to join the people in Clifton Park and there was a fantastic atmosphere and the numbers there were similar to the crowds we see for the Rotherham Show every September.

"Even the weather held for us and the event has been a major success in showing Rotherham's best qualities to a worldwide audience. We wish every other community well when they have their time with the Olympic Torch."

Magna website

Images: london2012.com / Magna

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