Carl Clark and David Pickup with the Olympic torch

Thetford man David Pickup hands over the Olympic torch to Jamie Oliver

Monday, July 9, 2012
1:49 PM

A Thetford man carried the Olympic torch at the weekend and handed it over to celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Thirty-four-year-old David Pickup helped carry the Olympic torch through Newport, in Essex, as part of its tour across Great Britain.

Mr Pickup, who was chosen because of his work with young people in the community, was nominated by

Thetford man and local councillor Carl Clark who had originally been chosen to carry the torch.

Mr Pickup, who works at Bishops Primary School and helps run a boxing club, handed the torch to Jamie Oliver after running through torrential rain on day 50 of the torch relay.

He was chosen after Mr Clark was told he could not run with the torch because of his political connections.

Mr Clark said: “It was a brilliant day, even the heavens opening did not mar the occasion. It is amazing to see everyone unified with each other.”

“Just seeing David’s face before he started running gave me confirmation I had chosen the right person. I was blessed by being involved in the day by supporting David and his family and then meeting Jamie Oliver afterwards was a bonus as he wanted to know the story of how David came to be nominated.”

On Saturday the torch made its way from Chelmsford to Cambridge - including a trip through Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket.