Members of Lands Ends Escalls Methodist Church get ready to send off their Praise Bus on a journey that will follow much of the route of the official Olympic Torch Relay. (C) More Than Gold UK

PLANS are continuing for a celebration party as the Olympic Flame comes to Reading next month.

St Andrew’s URC Church in London Road is hosting the Praise Bus which is currently travelling ahead of the Olympic Flame and to mark their arrivals, the fellowship wants to organise a night to remember. The Flame arrives in Reading from Bracknell at approximately 6pm on Tuesday, July 10. It travels from the Sutton Seeds roundabout, along London Road, across the IDR to the Oracle Riverside before being transported to the Madejski Stadium where it will stay overnight. At each stage of the journey, local people will act as torchbearers. The celebration at St Andrew’s starts at 5pm and continues to 7pm. Everyone is welcome and join in the fun at the free event.It will include music from the Reading Scottish Pipe Band, who have also been selected to perform at the Olympics Closing Ceremony on August 12. “There will be entertainment, food and worship, so we can welcome the torch to Reading with prayer and bless the rest of the journey,” said the Revd Richard Becher, a minister of the church.

The Praise Bus left the chapel of Escalls, Land’s End ahead of the Flame and is following a similar route across the country. Christian bands perform on the open-topped bus as it passes through the towns.