John Bishop celebrates reaching the top of the Lovell Telescope. Credit: Jimmy Bartle/University of Manchester.
Olympic Torch visits Jodrell Bank
31 May 2012
Today, comedian John Bishop carried the Olympic Torch to the very top of the Lovell Telescope at The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory, 80 metres above the Cheshire Plain in the UK.
Commenting on the experience of taking the Torch to the top of the Telescope, the Liverpool-born TV star who lives locally, said
"It is phenomenal because it is an iconic structure. We drive past it every day taking the kids to school but I never thought I would stand on it."
Earlier this year he completed a 290-mile triathlon from Paris to London in five days to raise money for the BBC charity Sport Relief. His efforts have raised over 3.4 million pounds.
John Bishop holds Olympic Torch aloft at the very top of the Focus Tower on the Lovell Telescope. Credit: Jimmy Bartle/University of Manchester.
The event at Jodrell Bank was attended by over a hundred schoolchildren from surrounding Cheshire schools selected as part of the Olympic "Get Set" programme. They took part in a variety of sporting and science activities including a relay race around our model Sun with their home-made planet-themed Olympic Torches.
The event was hosted by The University of Manchester's President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell who welcomed members of the University's Board of Governors, Friends of Jodrell Bank and the Right Honourable David Rutley, MP for Macclesfield. Observatory staff and their families also enjoyed the festivities.
For media enquiries please contact:
Daniel Cochlin
Media Relations Officer
The University of Manchester
0161 275 8387
daniel.cochlin@manchester.ac.uk
John Bishop with Olympic Torch and a group of very excited local schoolchildren. Credit: University of Manchester.
Local schoolchildren taking part in sports events with home-made planet-themed Olympic Torches. Credit: University of Manchester.
