Crowds gathered at OrbisEnergy, Lowestoft’s flagship hub for offshore renewable energy as the Olympic Torch Relay reached Britain’s most easterly point.
Suffolk’s renewable energy sector was firmly in the global spotlight on July 5th, as the Olympic Torch Relay reached Britain’s most easterly point in Lowestoft and passed by both the Lowestoft wind turbine and OrbisEnergy, the international centre of excellence for offshore renewables.
To mark the occasion, OrbisEnergy hosted an Olympic themed breakfast with demonstrations from Lowestoft based Goshindo Judo Club.
Johnathan Reynolds , Business Development at OrbisEnergy said: “We are delighted to be part of the Olympic torch relay route through Lowestoft and even more so as it’s a major stop being at the most easterly point of the country.”
Speaking to delegates attending the event, Johnathan went on to draw synergies around sustainability, the greenest Olympics on record and Suffolk being the greenest county; regeneration of East London and the Olympic park, and the role that OrbisEnergy and renewable energy is playing to stimulate growth and investment in Lowestoft.
He concluded with the importance of inspiring the next generation both as part of the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic games, living healthier and active lifestyles but also as to encourage the children and young adults to pursue careers in the rapidly expanding renewable energy industry, itself a key driver of future economic growth.
Torch bearer Karen Murray carried the Olympic Flame from Ness Point and up into the town centre. Karen was nominated to carry the torch by her husband for her work in starting and running Hana’s Gift, a charity in memory of her daughter Hana who was sadly stillborn in 2006. Karen has raised thousands of pounds through events such as sponsored walks, quiz nights, clairvoyance evenings, fetes and various online events and sales.
Cheering Karen on were hundreds of spectators from local businesses and members of the public keen to capture a glimpse of the Olympic Flame.
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Offshore WIND staff, July 9, 2012; Image: OrbisEnergy