by Graham Tutthill

It was certainly a day with a difference as more than 600
children from all 52 schools in Dover, Deal and Sandwich joined
together for this year’s Pass The Passion event, in the lead up to
the 2012 Olympics.

It was held at Dover Castle and the youngsters tried their hands
at a range of activities.

The event began with a procession of flags which pupils at each
school had designed and made to represent their thoughts and
ideas.

Two workshop sessions during the day gave the youngsters the
chance to try out different activities, and to prepare items for
some performances and the closing ceremony.

Among
the guests were the Mayors of Dover and Deal, Cllrs Sue Jones and
Ben Bano, Baroness Andrews, Patron of English Heritage, and Sarah
Hohler, Kent County Council’s cabinet member for education.

The event was held a year on from the original Pass The Passion
launch when a replica of the Olympic torch was carried in relay to
every school in the district.

It’s all part of the campaign to persuade the Olympic organisers
to choose Dover as the port of entry for the real torch when it is
brought to Britain for the 2012 Games.