WATLINGTON is vying to be a destination for the Olympic torch relay next year.

Parish councillors discussed how the route could include the town as it goes from Oxford to Reading, which have been confirmed as overnight destinations.

So far, 74 locations for the relay, which will start at Land’s End on Saturday, May 19, have been announced.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games has said that the torch will also pass through towns, villages and areas of outstanding natural beauty during the day but will not name these locations until later this year.

At a meeting last week, Councillor Tim Horton said: “I would imagine it will come over Wallingford Bridge and hope it doesn’t sprint down through the obvious route but maybe chooses to come through Benson and Ewelme and enjoy the wonderful route it would have to Henley.”


He said Watlington should feature in the relay because it had one of the largest secondary schools in the area and was of historic interest the relay and would be a celebration of the Chilterns.

Anna Badcock, who represents Watlington on South Oxfordshire District Council, said she would put forward the idea, along with suggestions for torch bearers, including members of the town’s judo club and fire cadets.

Meanwhile, the council has decided to scrap an agreement that allowed only members of the town’s business association to advertise on the council’s new website.

The site is an amalgamation of two run by the council and one run by the association and was designed to unify what the town offers but concern had been raised that the agreement could be seen to show favouritism to association members. The council was also due to receive income from the association of £5 per member per year.

The future of the site’s business directory will be discussed by the council’s strategy committee on Tuesday.

Published 27/06/11