Harper Adams student to carry Olympic Flame

Posted 1 May 2012

Final year Harper Adams student, Bradley Parkes, has been chosen to carry the Olympic Flame, representing angling.

He was picked from tens of thousands of nominations, and joins the 8,000 Torchbearers travelling around the UK for the Olympic Torch Relay.

The 21-year-old from Weston Downs, Stafford, will run with the Flame through Congleton in Cheshire on May 31.

Rural Enterprise and Land Management (REALM) student, Brad, said: “I’m really pleased to have been chosen to be involved with such a momentous occasion for British sport. This sort of opportunity won’t come around again.”

As a keen angler, Brad has had a long interest in sport - setting up the Staffordshire Youth Anglers club and the Chase Aqua Rural Enterprise CIC business. He is also a qualified level two coach, a West Midlands under 17s Regional Talent Scout and was an Angling Ambassador for the UK in 2010.

Brad added: “When I’ve finished my degree, I’ll be continuing with Chase Aqua Rural.

“I’ve been helping to run the business alongside my Mum and a family friend for around 10 months, together we offer fishing and farming in a Care Farm-type environment.

“Working with vulnerable groups is very rewarding and we also offer school visits and support the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.”

“I’ve recently secured a definite job with the company – Fishery Manager of Carney Pools, a site that the company has just leased.

“I work there during weekends and on Thursdays, looking after the day ticket anglers whilst also offering private tuition.”

Aside from his business and degree studies, Brad still plays a key part in encouraging young people into sport.

Brad said: “When I helped to set up Staffordshire Youth Anglers five years ago there was nothing else like it in the area but now we have around 80 members, meeting up to three times a month.

“I really enjoy passing skills on to young people and getting them involved with sport is great.”

Brad also enjoys playing football, squash and is a Harper Adams Ambassador for open days and events.

The Olympic Torch Relay route has been planned so that the Flame will come within ten miles of 95 percent of people in the UK. For more information about the London 2012 Olympic Games, visit www.london2012.com