Olympic torch to come through the borough

The penultimate day of the Olympic torch's epic journey around Britain sees it come to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The torch will arrive in the borough at approximately 1.30pm on Thursday 26 July when it will cross Chelsea Bridge into Chelsea Bridge Road, passing the Royal Chelsea Hospital (home of the Chelsea Pensioners), before heading to Sloane Square and along King's Road. It then leaves the borough before re-entering along Kensington High Street where it will be greeted by a choral fanfare in Holland Park by the only civic run opera company in the country, Opera Holland Park, at approximately 2.30pm. The choir of 150 professional and amateur singers will be accompanied by the City of London Sinfonia. There will also be a `come and try' sports day for everyone on Holland Park's sports field.

The torch will then leave the borough again for Hammersmith and Fulham before returning for its final leg along Notting Hill Gate before heading into Westminster.

The Royal Borough invites all our residents to welcome the torch and cheer on our local torchbearers as they carry the flame on its journey to the Olympic Park.

There will be some disruption to traffic in the Royal Borough on the day, but the Council is working closely with LOCOG and TfL to minimise the disruption and help residents and businesses plan their day around it. 

Councillor Warwick Lightfoot, Member Lead for 2012, said: "Having the Olympic torch relay will be very exciting and I am sure that residents and visitors will enjoy seeing the procession.

"Opera Holland Park and the City of London Sinfonia will put on a fabulous performance, backed by a wonderful community choir to welcome the torch and its bearers. Do come along to Holland Park to join in the fun.

"Of course, the torch's convoy will cause some disruption to traffic and public transport and it is important that residents and businesses are prepared for this."

Holland Park will see a host of activities throughout the day for visitors to enjoy. These range from operatic performances and `Minute Maestro' where the audience can have a go at conducting the orchestra to sporting demonstrations and new sports to try for all the family.