Whiteford Congratulates Local Couple on Olympic Torch Selection

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed the news that Peterhead residents Stephen and Roselyn Bruce have been selected by the Olympic Torch Bearer Committee to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay which begins later this month.

The Olympic Flame arrived in Cornwall from Greece on 18 May, and the next day set out on a 70-day relay around the UK. During the relay, the Torch will be carried by some 8,000 specially selected torchbearers.

Stephen and Roselyn Bruce of Peterhead have been selected to carry the Torch through Drumoak on Monday 11thJune.

Welcoming the local couple’s selection, Dr Whiteford commented:

“I am genuinely delighted that Stephen and Roselyn have been selected for this honour. Stephen and Roselyn’s commitment to encouraging local people to participate in sports and lead a healthy lifestyle has been an inspiration.

Stephen has been instrumental in getting a Peterhead branch of JogScotland off the ground and the Bruces’ have an infectious enthusiasm for their community, being involved in a whole range of activities and events here in Peterhead. The 4 nominations to be Torchbearers that they received – including one from myself – is testament to just how highly they are regarded in their community and their selection as Torchbearers is a fitting recognition of all that they have achieved.”

Stephen Bruce added:

Roselyn & Stephen Bruce with Stewart Stevenson MSP

“When Roselyn and I carry the Olympic torch in Drumoak, we won’t just be carrying them for ourselves –but will be representing all our family and friends and for all those people whose dedication to getting our country more active often goes unrecognised.”

In December of last year, Dr Whiteford exposed a gaffe by the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, when he wrote to MPs to inform them that the Olympic Torch would pass within 10 miles of 95% of the population of the UK. This claim has since been changed by the Department for Culture & Sport. The selected route for the Torch Relay spans from Inverness to Aberdeen, bypassing the Banff and Buchan constituency in its entirety. She added:

“It is disappointing that local folk will not be able to watch the Olympic Torch pass through their own town, but I am nevertheless delighted that Buchan will still be represented in this historic event in the form of Stephen and Roselyn Bruce.”