Worton torchbearer says relay run was awesome (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Worton torchbearer says relay run was awesome

9:31am Friday 13th July 2012 in News By Jill Crooks

Paul Sperring, of Worton, who was the penultimate Olympic torch bearer when the flame travelled through Wiltshire, described the experience as awesome.

Mr Sperring, 53, carried the flame along with two others in the village of Ludwell before it left south Wiltshire to go into Dorset yesterday.

Mr Sperring was chosen to be a torch bearer for his work with Worton and Cheverell Football Club, which he founded 18 years ago and is the club secretary.

The rain kept off to leave spells of sunshine. Large crowds lined the streets and Mr Sperring was cheered on by locals plus about 35 Worton villagers, who travelled down by coach, his wife, Una, daughter Elaina, son Jamie and brother Nigel, who travelled from the Isle of Man.

Mr Sperring said: “It was great. I don’t think I have enough words in my vocabulary to describe how I felt, it was just awesome.

“The only time I felt like that was when I got married and my two kids were born. It’s good to be part of history. I will definitely be keeping the torch, it’s a family heirloom.”

Mr Sperring was nominated to be part of the Olympic torch relay by his employers Lloyds Banking Group through its charity Making a Difference.

After returning to Worton Mr Sperring was at the Rose and Crown pub with villagers for tea and cakes and people had their photograph taken with the Olympic torch in return for a donation to Cancer Research UK.

As well as an interest in sport Mr Sperring is a guitarist and lead singer in local band Get This.