THE Twyford Games did not stick rigidly to the format of the London Olympics, but the spirit was definitely there.

The wheelie bin race, the space hopper race and the sack race were all fiercely contested, as were the more traditional 50 and 100 metre sprints. On Sunday, September 2, around 250 people descended on Hunter Park to watch a torch procession carried by a selection of Twyford villagers to mark the opening of the games. The procession was themed as the Seven Ages of Twyford, with the torch passing from old to young, until a rocket finally marked the start of the games.

Event organiser Martin Barlow said: “Everyone had a great time. The competition was the highlight for me - the determination and motivation to compete. It was a fun event but everyone tried hard and there was good, friendly rivalry.”

The Twyford games were initially conceived as a way to localise the spirit of the London Olympics. And there should be a lasting legacy for Twyford too – proceeds from the race entry fees amounted to around £500 and will go toward the refurbishment of the Twyford Parish Hall.