Attention has turned to the Olympics in Paris and this has prompted memories of the London Olympics in 2012.

In July that year, the Olympic torch relay came to Oxfordshire and communities in towns and villages across the county came out to cheer on the torch.

Big crowds turned out in Wallingford and Abingdon to give a warm welcome to the historic flame.

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It was greeted in Abingdon by about 15,000 people lining the streets.

The relay arrived in the town at about 7.40am as the bells of St Nicolas Church rang out and Abbey Brass Band kept the crowds entertained.

Deaf cancer survivor Margaret Brown, 71, was cheered and followed by crowds as she carried the torch in the final leg in Bridge Street.

Former Olympic gymnast Suzanne Dando handed the torch to Aron Steele, from Didcot, who was cheered on by classmates in Oxford Road.

(Image: Oxford Mail) The 12-year-old, of Fitzwaryn Special School in Wantage, said at the time: “I saw loads of people that I knew and especially people from my school. I was very pleased to be part of the Olympics.”

Sue James, 46, from Carterton, was nominated to carry the torch down Oxford Road after volunteering for the Save the Children charity for more than 30 years.

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She said in 2012: “I feel really honoured to be part of it. It was great. I cried the whole way. I couldn’t believe the crowds of people. It was lovely.”

Chris Harris, then Larkmead School headteacher, said hundreds of schools pupils came out to see the relay come through Oxford Road.

He said: "It is a moment in history and they won’t get that opportunity again in their lifetime.”

And council officials estimated up to 10,000 people gathered in Wallingford town centre to wave on the Olympic Flame after it arrived shortly before 8.30am.

(Image: Oxford Mail) Among the torchbearers in Wallingford were celebrity chef Raymond Blanc and Private Patrick Burns, 25, from Bicester, of 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.

Mr Blanc said on the day: “It is raining but everyone is happy, the torch brings people together.”

After carrying the flame, Private Burns, who lost his right leg below the knee in January last year when he stepped on a bomb in Afghanistan, said: “This was a fantastic moment for me and I felt absolutely fine carrying the torch.”

As the torch relay arrived in the town centre, a Puma helicopter from RAF Benson flew overhead. The torch left Crowmarsh shortly before 9am to be taken by bus along the A4130 to Nettlebed and Henley.

Other torch bearers in Wallingford and Crowmarsh were Dale Kamarata, David Earle, William Anderson, Christian Bravo, Sarah Rose and Fiona Grist.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.