OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY: Week nine from Bournemouth to Guildford

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Posted: Saturday 14th July 2012 | 6:54

KINDLED by the rays of the sun in Ancient Olympia, the Olympic torch finally arrives in the UK after a week-long journey around the home of the Games in Greece. Over the next ten weeks more than 8,000 people will carry the torch – from the young to the old, the well-known to the deserving.

LOCAL HERO: Two-time Olympic champion Shirley Robertson, pictured with fellow sailor Ben Ainslie, will carry the Olympic torch on the Isle of Wight

DAY 56 - JULY 14 - BOURNEMOUTH - SOUTHAMPTON

The Olympic flame will visit the Isle of Wight to take a trip on the famous Alum Bay chairlift - where it will be carried by David Oulton, 46, and Laura Carlisle, 17.

It will also visit Osborne House, once the favourite home of Queen Victoria, before sailing back to the mainland from the yachting capital of Cowes.

Two of the Island's most famous sporting residents will also take their turn with the torch - Dame Ellen MacArthur, one of the world's greatest ever offshore sailors, and two-time Olympic sailing champion Shirley Robertson, the first British women to win Olympic gold medals at consecutive Games.

After 94 torchbearers have carried the flame 58 miles, an evening celebration will take place at Mayflower Park in Southampton.

KEY TIMINGS - 08:20 - Bournemouth Pier, 10:40 - Brockenhurst College,13:50 - Needles Park Isle of Wight, 15:45 - Osbourne House Isle of Wight

HISTORIC: Osborne House, Queen Victoria's favourite home, will welcome the flame as it prepares to arrive in the sailing capital of Cowes and return to the English mainland

DAY 57 - JULY 15 - SOUTHAMPTON - PORTSMOUTH

The Olympic flame will visit the Channel Islands, with flying trips to Guernsey and Jersey.

Among today's torchbearers are Paralympic sailor Alexandra Rickham, who is preparing for her second Games later this summer, volunteer sports coach Jo Norman, long-distance swimmer Sally Minty-Gravett plus cyclist Rob Smart and swimmer Tom Hollingsworth - who both represented Guernsey at the Commonwealth Games.

KEY TIMINGS - 06:00 - Southampton Guildhall, 9:50 - Guernsey Island Celebration, 12:45 - Jersey Island Celebration, 15:20 - Southampton Airport, 17:50 - Portsmouth Harbour crossing, 18:15 - Historic Dockyard Southampton

DAY 58 - JULY 16 - PORTSMOUTH - BRIGHTON

The Olympic flame will continue its journey along England's south coast, concluding at an evening celebration in Hove after an earlier stop at the beautiful Arundel Castle.

Among the torchbearers are 79-year old boxing coach Freddie Barr, 92-year old John Jenkins, who is still a steward at his beloved Porstmouth and Royal Navy nurse Vicky Scott, who has served three tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Sylvia Baker, 87, will take the flame through her Brighton hometown after being nominated for a lifetime's commitment to sport and charity fundraising.

While Kevin Betts, 28, should have no difficulty in negotiating the 300 metres with the torch - in 2012 he is running 52 marathons for charity.

He's already run one on his stag do and one of his wedding day and one during his honeymoon.

KEY TIMINGS - 07:35 - Fratton Park Portsmouth, 11:30 - Cass Sculpture Foundation 15:45 - Arundel Castle, 18:05 - Hove Park *

DAY 59 - JULY 17 - BRIGHTON - HASTINGS

The torch continues its seaside road trip today as it leaves Brighton for the site of one of British history's most famous battles in 1066.

Among the torchbearers is rising athletics star Charlie Grice, whose Olympic ambitions are focused on Rio after he won bronze at the Youth Olympics in Singapore and James Kirby, 18, who won two golds, a silver and a bronze at the World Transplant Games.

Joanne Rout was a trailblazer for Paralympic swimming star Ellie Simmonds, winning two golds at the Seoul Games when only 12, will carry the torch in her hometown of Crowborough while 16-year old Luke Lancaster is recognised for forming a charity that gives young people the opportunity to develop skills and confidence.

KEY TIMINGS - 07:20 - The Royal Pavilion, Brighton, 08:35 - K2 Leisure Centre

DAY 60 - JULY 18 - HASTINGS - DOVER

The torch will arrive at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone and will travel through a six-mile section of the tunnel between Folkestone and Samphire Hoe at the foot of Shakespeare Cliff.

It will ride on the funicular railway in Hastings and visit Dover Castle, once described as the 'Key to England' due to its defensive significance throughout history.

Youngsters Danny Rowe and Lauren Gander, both 12, are among many teenagers carrying the flame today. Gander's parents were warned she may never walk or lead a normal life when she was born but she has become a talented dancer and has raised over £80,000 for charity.

Also among the torchbearers are inspirational fundraiser Liz Curtis, sports volunteer Shuna Body and 76-year old Graeme Faber, who has raised thousands for charity and attended the 1948 Olympic opening ceremony in London.

KEY TIMINGS - 08:40 - Hastings East Cliff, 08:50 - Funicular Railway, 15:20 - Channel Tunnel, 18:00 - Dover, 18:50 - Dover Castle

TORCHBEARER: Elena Baltacha, named on Team GB's Olympic tennis squad, will run with the torch in Kent before heading back to Wimbledon to continue her preparations for the Games (Getty Images)

DAY 61 - JULY 19 - DEAL - MAIDSTONE

A journey from the Royal Cinque Ports to Maidstone will see the torch edge ever closer to it's final week in the capital.

Elena Baltacha will warm up for her Team GB tennis debut by carrying the flame during its day in Kent.

Also among today's torchbearers is Royal Marine George Treadwell and Joe Smith - now 78 and still the oldest man to ever swim the English Channel.

Fiona Waller, who rowed 6,000 miles across the Atlantic and Indian Ocean to raise £50,000 for charity is also recognised.

KEY TIMINGS - 08:30 - Deal, 12:35 - Turner Gallery, Margate, 16:15 - Canterbury Cathedral

TEAM GB: Ashley Jackson, a former young world hockey player of the year, will be among the torchbearers on day 62

DAY 62 - JULY 20 - MAIDSTONE - GUILDFORD

It's the final day of the torch relay before the flame starts a week long trip around the capital.

Team GB hockey player Ashley Jackson, judoka Gemma Howell and 87-year old Charlie Palmer - who has spent three quarters of a century in the Scout movement - are among today's torchbearers.

Tim Lawler, the chief executive of charity Sports Aid, which has funded hundreds of 2012 Olympians and Paralympians in their formative years, will also carry the flame.

KEY TIMINGS - 06:35 - Maidstone Mote Park, 07:05 - Rowing Boat, Maidstone, 11:20 - Paralympic Cycling, Brands Hatch