Row over who owns Olympic legacy torch
A DISPUTE has broken out in Scilly between a club and its former chairman over the ownership of a relay torch carried in a west Cornwall leg during the summer Olympic Games.
Runner Duncan Graham says the torch is his, while the islands' school football club claim they have comprehensive documentation to prove it owns the torch.
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Scilly Olympic torchbearer Duncan Graham.
The club maintains it nominated Mr Graham – the committee chairman at the time who had voluntarily given up much time to coach club youngsters over the years – for the honour and stumped up the torch's £200 cost.
The club says it is not in a position to use club funds to purchase gifts for individuals and the torch was bought with club funds for the community's benefit with the intention to display in the sports hall for everyone's enjoyment.
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Mr Graham, a keen long-distance runner, counters by insisting the torch was bought specifically for him in recognition of the time he has devoted to the club, although at the time he said it could also have been "for all the bits and bobs I do around the island".
After the relay leg along Penzance promenade – the 16th in what were to be some 8,000 journeys – he described the atmosphere as "unforgettable".
He then pledged the torch would go on display at the school sports hall.
He has now quit the committee.
Mr Graham was one of two island runners given the honour of a relay leg, Lesley Thomas being the other, after attempts to get a Scillonian leg failed.
They arrived back in Scilly, with their torches, on the bridge of RMV Scillonian to a warm reception.
Mr Graham, who had pledged the torch would be on display in the Sports Hall, was unavailable for comment, being absent from the islands.
Both parties are said to be consulting lawyers.
Comments
by josdave
Thursday, January 03 2013, 11:04PM
“Well said Mice470. Whatever happened to common sense in this day and age? It's all about making rich greedy lawyers even richer and the taxpayers picking up the bill.”
by Mice470
Thursday, January 03 2013, 11:43AM
“Before wasting more money on lawyers' fees, I would suggest that someone in Scilly goes round and bangs a few heads together to get a compromise.”