PARIS 2024 PARALYMPICS FLAME LIGHTING CEREMONY
On a wet Saturday morning, the luminaries of the Paralympics and the world's media descended on humble Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympics, for a far-from-humble event: the lighting of the Paralympic Flame.
Buckinghamshire Freemasons were asked to volunteer to aid in the organisation and running of the event; taking up positions as marshals, traffic wardens, stewards and even diplomats.
We're very proud to have been in attendance of this ceremony of global significance and of the praise received from those in attendance, with one member of the press remarking "I've completely changed my mind about what you are!" In a world of scepticism and cynicism, this is among the finest of compliments a Freemason can receive from their community.
But the day was not one for sceptics nor cynics; even as the rain lashed and the winds howled, the spirit of hope, togetherness, and strength extolled by the Paralympics could not be extinguished. The flame was lit to rapturous applause, the torch carried with due reverence, beginning its journey to Paris and drawing onlookers and excitement from every quarter.
The Paralympic flames will make their final appearance during the Opening Ceremony, where they will be used to light the cauldron to symbolise the start of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games tomorrow, 28th August.
Aylesbury played its part well, and the Buckinghamshire Freemasons will forever be proud to have helped it in doing so.
Why Stoke Mandeville?
The small village on the edge of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, is the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. It is where Dr Ludwig Guttmann first dreamt of a sporting event for World War II veterans with disabilities to aid in their physical and mental rehabilitation in a fun, but competitive way. A mindset & idea to push the recovery process.
If you would like to be part of a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.
Buckinghamshire Freemasons were asked to volunteer to aid in the organisation and running of the event; taking up positions as marshals, traffic wardens, stewards and even diplomats.
We're very proud to have been in attendance of this ceremony of global significance and of the praise received from those in attendance, with one member of the press remarking "I've completely changed my mind about what you are!" In a world of scepticism and cynicism, this is among the finest of compliments a Freemason can receive from their community.
But the day was not one for sceptics nor cynics; even as the rain lashed and the winds howled, the spirit of hope, togetherness, and strength extolled by the Paralympics could not be extinguished. The flame was lit to rapturous applause, the torch carried with due reverence, beginning its journey to Paris and drawing onlookers and excitement from every quarter.
The Paralympic flames will make their final appearance during the Opening Ceremony, where they will be used to light the cauldron to symbolise the start of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games tomorrow, 28th August.
Aylesbury played its part well, and the Buckinghamshire Freemasons will forever be proud to have helped it in doing so.
Why Stoke Mandeville?
The small village on the edge of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, is the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. It is where Dr Ludwig Guttmann first dreamt of a sporting event for World War II veterans with disabilities to aid in their physical and mental rehabilitation in a fun, but competitive way. A mindset & idea to push the recovery process.
If you would like to be part of a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.