Bucks is celebrating their Paralympic Heritage ahead of the games

Bucks’s proud Paralympic heritage will be internationally recognised as part of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay, with the fourth Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony taking place at Stoke Mandeville Stadium on Thursday 19 August.

As the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, Stoke Mandeville will welcome Paralympic Torch Bearers and local sport and community groups to this unique outdoor celebration which forms part of the five-day-long official Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay.

Walk the Plank will be hosting exciting flag making workshops, suitable for ages 12+, in line with Buckinghamshire Culture’s Open Weekend (22–25 July) – a new opportunity to showcase and celebrate the range and breadth of creativity and culture taking place in Buckinghamshire.

The flags created will be used as decoration for the Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony, with makers offered the opportunity to carry them as part of the event, showcasing the creativity of Buckinghamshire’s local communities.

There are four workshops available to attend, all hosted at Alfred Rose Community Centre, Aylesbury on Friday 23 July and Saturday 24 July. More information including how to book a free space on a workshop can be found at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/events/celebrating-buckinghamshires-paralympic-heritage.

There are also lots of opportunities to celebrate Buckinghamshire’s Paralympic legacy at this summer’s free Play Around the Parishes events, happening around the county. Take advantage of some free family-friendly summer fun between 22 July–27 August, and look out for your chance to join Buckinghamshire Council in saying a big ‘Good Luck from Bucks!’

The ‘Good Luck from Bucks!’ campaign hopes to encourage local communities, organisations and businesses to send their best wishes to the Paralympic athletes competing in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Record a message, take a photo with the ‘Good Luck from Bucks’ frame (which will be out and about at the Play Around the Parishes events) or create your own artwork to show your support and celebrate Buckinghamshire’s Paralympic legacy. Photographs and videos shared with Buckinghamshire Council on social media will be showcased at the Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony – so be sure to tag @BucksCouncil in your posts!

For more information on Play Around the Parishes and to download the timetable of events, please visit www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/parishplaydays.