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Published: 26 July, 2012
by DAN CARRIER

THE OLYMPIAN effort needed to get out of bed at six in the morning didn't stop thousands of people lining the streets of Camden Town today (Thursday) to catch a glimpse of the Olympic torch as it meandered through north London on it's penultimate day before heading to Stratford.

Despite the early start, huge crowds had gathered along Chalk Farm Road for the official 6.45am lighting ceremony at concert venue and arts training centre the Roundhouse: Sir Clive Woodward and Camden Mayor Heather Johnson were greeted with whoops and cheers as they mounted a stage outside the former railway shed and the flame was passed from a brass, wind-proof lantern to the first torch.

Sir Clive, who is deputy chef de mission for Team GB, was today's first torch bearer and he insisted on taking a short detour back towards Haverstock School, so those who had not managed to squeeze further down Chalk Farm Road could catch a glimpse of the flame before he set off on day 69 on the round Britain torch relay.

He passed the flame onto Danny McCubbin, who has worked for Jamie Oliver's training restaurant '15', as the torch came towards Camden Lock and then 17-year-old sports coach Darren Fitzpatrick took on the responsibility as the flame went towards Camden Town's Brittania junction.

Then it was along past the Working Men's College in Crowndale Road, to St Pancras Gardens and then on to St Pancras train station.

Outside Teatro Technis – the Greek community theatre venue on Crowndale Road – three 'Greek Goddesses' stood to attention.

Actors Valentina Pakou, Nadia Mowafy and Tania Batzoglou, all from Greece, donned traditional costume to promote their play, The Great Dionysian Festival.
Valentina said: “It is so nice to see the flame and think its come all the way from Athens.”

The flame was then given a short boat road along the Regents Canal, before being taken off at the Canal Museum near Wharfedale Road: as it chugged down the canal, one boat owner showed their displeasure for the games, putting posters on their boats protesting against the vast cost of the Olympics.
But even they smiled as their posters were cheered by passers by who had moments before been clapping the torch.

At St Pancras, youth worker Luke Corduner waited patiently with his family to receive the flame from Katharine Ford.
He was serenaded by the Camden Concert band, made up of pupils from Camden schools, and had the honour of taking it into William Barlow's stunning Victoria train station.

He said: “The whole experience has been incredible. I'm very grateful to those who nominated me."
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Others who were given the torch in Camden were: Ellie Moss, 22, Fernando Goldberg, 50, Josephine Cumbo, 40, Michelle Griffiths, 47, Paris Walker, 16, Patrick De Maeseniere, 54 and Sean Elkins, 41.