The Paul Rogers blog: Herefordshire came alive to see the Olympic Torch go through the county (From Hereford Times)

The Paul Rogers blog: Herefordshire came alive to see the Olympic Torch go through the county

3:41pm Friday 25th May 2012 in Paul Rogers Blog By Paul Rogers

WOW! That is the only word to describe seeing the Olympic Torch coming through Herefordshire.

Everyone said that it would be a once-in-a-lifetime event and, believe you me, it was.

I have never seen so many people ram the streets in all my life – from children , to pensioners and even the odd dog or two.

It really did bring out the best in people and I am very proud to say that Herefordshire was well and truly put on the map during the past two days.

I think my lasting image of it was seeing thousands of school children witnessing it and the excitement on their little faces was a joy to behold.

They are our future and if the Olympics coming to the UK means that they get inspired and want to take part in sport more, then surely that is the best legacy it can leave?

I got to speak to many people both in Hereford yesterday and in Ross-on-Wye this morning and, when I asked people how they would sum up the whole event, most simply said “it was really exciting.”

I don’t think they realised what a unique occasion it would be until they saw it for themselves.

As soon as the torch came down the streets, the cameras came out and loads of people soon started to run down to keep up with the torch to try and get as many pictures as they possibly could.

Us reporters were the same. Yes, we were covering it on a professional level, but we all excited to witness a bit of history as well, if a bit knackered once it was all over. I think I need to go to the gym more as I felt that I had just done the marathon after running through Hereford yesterday.

I think some people thought that I was one of the torchbearers.

Talking of torchbearers, the ones I spoke to could not believe what they had just done.

Even though they were only carrying the torch for a couple of hundred yards here and there, they must have felt ten-feet tall when they heard the crowds cheering them on.

Lastly, I just want to say a big thank-you to everyone who sent us their comments and photos of the event and sorry that we can’t use them all.

I hope you all enjoyed following us and reading the stories.

I recorded some of the action yesterday and today, which included many interviews, so hopefully that will be uploaded onto our website early next week.

Sadly, I wasn’t in Leominster at the time so missed out on fellow reporter Paul Broome nearly tripping up over a woman’s zimmer-frame.

Sorry Paul had to get that in :-)