Torchbearers

FORMER Weymouth teacher Neil ‘Doc’ Hardisty will be one of the inspirational torchbearers carrying the Olympic Flame through Dorset this summer.

A full list of county torchbearers can now be seen online at london2012.com/ olympictorchrelay Mr Hardisty, aged 62, will have his moment to shine when he carries the flame through Chickerell on Thursday, July 12.

He was chosen because he has dedicated his life to inspiring young people and completed more than 40 years’ of voluntary work.

A street-by-street map and proposed timings for the Olympic torch relay was also published by the London Organising Com- mittee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) yesterday so residents can plan their celebrations.

An average of 115 torchbearers a day, wearing a white-and-gold Adidas-designed uniform, will carry the flame from May 19 across the county to reach the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27.

The youngest torchbearer will be 12 years old.

Games insight

INSIGHT into how the Olympics will affect Weymouth’s Park District residents will be given at a Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meeting tomorrow.

Matthew Piles, 2012 Roads and Traffic Manager, will be attending the event in the Park Centre, Chelmsford Street, at 7.15pm.

There may also be an appearance from head of the local 2012 team Simon Williams, of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Everyone who lives and works in the Park District area is welcome to attend.

Star’s thanks

TRIPLE gold Olympic winner Ben Ainslie has thanked his fans for their support over his shock disqualification at the World Championships.

Britain’s most successful sailor missed out on a medal at the Perth World Championships in December 2011, after confronting a media boat he believed had passed too close.

The Royal Yachting Assoc-iation (RYA) conducted an investigation and found that Ainslie had committed gross misconduct but also cleared him to fight for his fourth consecutive Olympic gold at this summer’s Games.

The International Sailing Federation has now agreed ‘no further action’ should be taken as ‘the penalties imposed to date are appropriate’.

Ainslie tweeted his fans and supporters in thanks: “Great to finally have the Perth incident cleared up by ISAF. It’s taken a while to get resolved but thanks to everyone for their support.”

Ask questions

THREE public drop-in sessions are taking place to enable Dorset residents to ask questions about this summer’s Olympic sailing events.

All are welcome to attend the sessions, which will begin on Monday, March 26, at the Dorford Centre, Dorchester, and on Thursday, March 29, at Weymouth’s Pavilion Ocean Room, both from 12pm until 4pm and 5pm until 7.30pm.

The last drop-in will take place on Friday, March 30, at the Community 2000 building in Easton, Portland, from 1pm until 4pm, and 5pm until 7.30pm.

Topics will include the sailing competition, cultural events, parking, road access or restrictions, getting to work, arriving by boat, park and ride, street trading and licensing, legacy, visitor management, safety and security.

General presentations will be held at each location at 1.30pm and at 6.30pm covering all aspects of local preparations for the London 2012 Games.

For more information, visit dorsetforyou.com/london2012