Olympic spirit comes to Guildford

Every four years the world descends on one country; one city; where athletes from all nations compete for the ultimate accolade: an Olympic gold medal. A burning torch will leave Athens and travel through every competing nation before a tour of Britain. The world will follow this torch, journalists will camp out to get a glimpse of its fiery shell and the likes of Konnie Huq and Amy Childs will parade with it through their home towns to the cheers of thousands.

The Olympic Torch arrives at Land’s End on 19^th May and will begin a seventy day tour to all four corners of the British Isles, before completing its journey at the opening ceremony in Stratford on 27^th July. July 20^th is when Guildford takes its turn. The one day where the world’s focus will be on the burning shaft making its way down the high street, past Wagamamma and ShakeAway, turning left at Wetherspoons and on past campus towards the Olympic park. But who will represent us? Who will stand up and show the world what Guildford stands for, its morals, its style, and its heart? As a resident of this beautiful town for many years, I can think of only one person who fosters the spirit of us all: no you won’t see her on the side of a bus advertising trainers, she doesn’t have a fancy sponsorship deal with a high street bank, and she won’t be parading around on the X factor. Her name is Brenda, but you will know her better as the Bearded Lady of Guildford.

The Bearded Lady of Guildford, the B.L.O.G if you will, is a Guildford institution. Freshers you probably won’t have seen her yet, but give it time and she will reveal herself to you. She wanders the Friary, sometimes venturing out as far as Sainsbury’s, in her trademark leopard print coat and silver nose ring.  Little is known about her, only that she has a soft spot for Shepherd’s pie and visited Austria once in 1978.  She is a celebrity among the local townsfolk, the people’s choice to be our Olympic champion.

The Bearded Lady of Guildford is a celebrity in her own right, she has been featured by LA blogger Perez Hilton, has fan pages on Myspace, Twitter and a Facebook campaign with more than ten thousand followers, all backing her to represent Guildford in the torch relay.

Lewis Shaw, one of the campaigners and founder of the “Bearded Lady for Olympic Torch Bearer” Facebook page said: “The story of Brenda Hughes is a strange, compelling, and wholly marvellous one. Brenda, or ‘the Bearded Lady of Guildford’ has been a local, national, and recently international superhero/celebrity/do-gooder, with reports of sightings going back to 2004-5. Not much is known about her life or occupation, but what we do know is that her beard and unusual dress sense has afforded her much hardship and respect. Brenda has inspired the world and reminded us that we can all be what we want to be. Brenda Hughes is an icon of national pride, and a reminder of the prevailing pride in uniqueness that has kept this nation’s metaphorical chin up. So, it is with great respect and happiness, that I nominate Brenda Hughes to run the Olympic Torch through Guildford.”

Guildford resident Callum Morgan added: “Let’s pray she keeps the torch away from the beard.”

You can find information on how to nominate Brenda at:

www.london2012.com

and like; “Bearded Lady of Guildford for Olympic Torch Bearer” on Facebook.