On Thursday 2 August Godiva Awakes, part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, is travelling through Central Bedfordshire en route from Milton Keynes to Luton.

Motorists can expect delays as the double-decker bus sized Lady Godiva puppet, powered by 25 cyclists, travels at 3 - 5 miles per hour along a stretch of road between Woburn Sands and Streatley.

The route

• Entering Central Bedfordshire late morning on 2 August the route will be as follows:
• A5130 to Woburn Sands
• A4012 to Milton Bryan
• Park Road to Toddington
• B579 Luton Road
• over the M1 into Sundon Road, Manor Road, Streatley Road, Sharpenhoe Road, Church Road
• Down the A6 (crossing the boundary into Luton by about 2pm).

Advice for drivers

The organisers, Imagineer Productions, have put up signs along the route to alert motorists to potential delays. Motorists wanting to avoid delays are advised to find alternative routes or travel outside of the times that Godiva Awakes will be on the advertised route.

Advice for spectators

The organisers are not providing any facilities for people in Central Bedfordshire to watch Godiva Awakes. Spectators should make sure that they can watch safely and away from the open highway as no road closures will be in place and vehicles will obviously want to get around the 'Cyclopaedia'. An advanced warning vehicle and motorcycle escort group will travel 500 metres ahead of Godiva Awakes, to let people know three minutes beforehand that the 'Cyclopaedia' is due to come through.

Godiva Awakes will arrive in Luton town centre for a procession and evening celebration at around 3.30pm.

All timings are approximate and are based on no delays for repairs and so on.

For more information go to the Imagineer Productions website.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are now upon us.

The Games are the largest logistical operation undertaken in the UK in the last fifty years and a lot of work has already been done across the country to prepare.

As well as providing a range of significant benefits, the Games will also place some predictable stresses on our transport system. In particular the operation of the road network in London, both in general and particularly on road event days will be very different. This will mean that certain journeys that people are accustomed to making by road will not always be possible. For example, during the Cycle Road Races on 28 and 29 July, it will not be possible to drive across South West London between 3am and 6pm.

It is important that regular travellers do not get caught out by this, including those who may be driving from the Central Bedfordshire into London or across London to reach other destinations such as airports.

Organisers of the Olympics are on the lookout for Central Bedfordshire residents, with a passion for the Games, celebrating and bringing local people together.

The London 2012 'Local Leader' campaign is designed to give people across the UK a role in the Games and to help those people who don't know quite how to be part of London 2012, by suggesting a number of different ways to celebrate.

If you're interested in finding out more, there's whole host of hints, tips, and useful information on the Local Leaders website.

On Monday 9 July, large crowds gathered to celebrate the Olympic Flame as it was carried through Dunstable before travelling to Oxford via Milton Keynes.

If you were not able to attend or if you would like to relive this once in a life time moment, watch the Olympic Torch footage captured by the BBC.

Matt King, 25, Bedfordshire

Matt, lives in Wixams, grew up in Langford. He was nominated by his grandfather, Peter Kay, for the determination he has shown since being paralysed from the neck down after suffering a devastating injury whilst play Rugby League for the London Broncos Under 18s in 2004. Showing real grit, Matt returned to school to do his A Levels and went on to study Law at the University of Hertfordshire, where he gained a First Class Honours degree. He now works as a solicitor for ‘Stewarts Law’ in London. Outside of work Matt gives counselling to both the patients and their families with similar and lesser injuries at the Spinal Injuries Centre at Stanmore and Stoke Mandeville. He is also an ambassador for the Variety Club, giving talks to help raise money for their 'Easy Rider children’s wheelchair appeals. He has completed a New York Marathon and two Great North Runs in his powered wheelchair.

Matt, said: "Being selected as a torchbearer is a massive honour. Since my accident I have been extremely fortunate to receive the level of support and well wishes that I have. Carrying the Olympic Torch is something I can look back on in the future with great pride."

Penny Green, 51, from Dunstable

Penny has been inspired to work her way up to the position of Director of the national Down’s Heart Group, after her baby son Daniel, who had Down’s Syndrome and heart and bowel problems, passed away when he was just 100 days old. She now represents the charity at congresses around the world, exchanging ideas and information.

Penny, said: "This is a terrific honour for me and I am proud to be able to represent so many wonderful friends from all over the world."

Samantha Griffiths, 45, from Watford

Samantha is a Religious Studies teacher and Head of Year 12/13 at Dr Challoner’s High School in Little Chalfont, Bucks. She was nominated by an ex pupil for her going above and beyond her duty as a teacher

"Our teacher personifies the epitome of pastoral care. She has been a head of year, a mother figure and above all, a friend to every single one of the 140 girls in my year group. She is always there for anyone who needs a chat and no matter how much work she has to do (which is a lot) and how stressed out she is, she will always pull you aside to chat if she knows something is wrong."

She is extremely excited but even more nervous about carrying the torch and is humbled by the stories of some of the other Torchbearers. She thinks the Olympics is a fantastic opportunity for the country to come together and show the world what a great place this is.

Samantha’s favourite ever Olympian is Steve Redgrave.

Samantha, said: "I will do my best and really want to savour the moment and enjoy my time in the spotlight as it is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity not granted to many."

Sasha Harvey, 39, from Abingdon

Nomination Story: Whilst training for the London Marathon Sasha noted the amount of litter that lined the verges and hedgerows in the countryside surrounding the village in which she lived. She produced a flyer, put it through the doors of every house in the village, booked the village hall, laid-on tea and biscuits and purchased bin bags by the hundreds. More than 40 car tyres and 36 full bin liners of litter later and our village was purged of years of litter.

Katrina Blunt, 31, from Buckinghamshire

Nomination story: Katrina is the voluntary chairperson of our local pre-school, a registered charity serving the children of Pitstone and surrounding area. She juggles this amongst being a Mum to two young children (1 and 4 years old), and gives hours of her time voluntarily to ensure 'small people' of our villages get the best possible start in their school life. In 2010, she took on the role when the preschool was under threat of closure, and tirelessly worked to motivate the staff who were uncertain of the future, engage parents who wanted the best for their children and build a plan to secure and make the preschool the best it can be - all for no reward. She eventually led a move to a new purpose built premises securing funding, grants and physically leading the move in deep snow! She even ran a half marathon raising £1400 for vital new toys and equipment. It has recently been assessed at the highest level for improvement by the Council - a testament to the whole team of course, but one person has led them with boundless energy and unconditional support and encouragement - Katrina. She never moans, seeks credit or shouts about her achievements. She is a real inspiration to me and those people who come into contact with her - one of her committee members recently said 'there's something special about her, isn't there?' which I think sums it up. Something special indeed - driven, determined, selfless and committed to securing the best possible start in life for local children.

Kyle Mandry, 48, from Bedfordshire

Nomination story: Kyle has truly inspired both staff and clients this past year as he dealt with a serious issue outside of work. Despite this situation, for those of us who count on Kyle's leadership, expertise and management, he didn't miss a beat. He continued to meet his deliverables, support clients and manage his team with excellence. His dedication was above and beyond by any measure. And although all were eager to assist, he was determined to minimize any impact to others. His strength, commitment and positive attitude we have come to depend upon never wavered - it only strengthened. By any measure, Kyle has more than given his personal best, and he has inspired others to do the same. I cannot think of a better representative to carry the Olympic Torch.

These are some of your messages that you posted on social media network sites about Dunstable's moment to shine. 

• @LutonNewsSally: Wow, torch turnout in Dunstable really was phenomenal, the town did itself proud!
• amy_pAlmerr: @BBC2012 watching the torch relay from Crete! Dunstable doing us proud, wish we were there watching it!
• @Salt14: According to Radio 1 the turn out for the torch relay through Dunstable was the biggest yet! Amazeballs!
• TheCCT: Well done Penny Green, of the Friends of St Mary's Church, Edlesborough, an Olympic Torchbearer in Dunstable this am.
• @joregan So excited to see the Olympic torch come through Dunstable today. pic.twitter.com/BkgNnYBg
• ZaynsWife16: Just seen Olympic torch go through Dunstable, quite good actually.
• superkevrunner: Wish I was in my hometown Dunstable today to see the Olympic Torch relay!

Listen to some audio clips

Cllr Angela Barker, Chairman of Central Beds Council, talking about the Olympic Torch as it past through Dunstable.

Listen to what Penny Green, Dunstable resident and torch bearer, had to say about her exciting morning running through the streets of Dunstable. 

Have your say or just keep in touch

You are still welcome to follow, comment or see what others has to say about the Torch Relay on Twitter by following us @letstalkcentral and following the hashtag #OlympicTorch. 

You can also keep up to date with what Central Bedfordshire Council is up to on Facebook. 

Thank you to everyone who attended the Torch Relay event in Dunstable on 9 July.