The Olympic rings on Tower Bridge
Not related to the torch or Tooting Common, but since this is my photo I can use it without incurring the wrath of the Olympic police

The council has published details of how to get tickets for the Olympic Torch relay event that Wandsworth is hosting on 23 July on Tooting Common.

The event will be (free) ticket only and the tickets will be issued on a first-come first-served basis at Battersea, Balham, Putney, Tooting or Wandsworth libraries between 7.30 and 8.30pm on Wednesday 11 July Monday 16 July. You will need some proof that you are a Wandsworth resident to get a ticket (such as a council tax bill).

Full details are available on the council’s website.

Undoubtedly many will be unhappy about the way tickets are issued. Unfortunately it is out of the council’s control. It seems ticketing was a late requirement by the Metropolitan Police, and the council have had to quickly find a way to ensure its allocation is distributed to Wandsworth residents in sufficient time.

If recent experience with things like the change in refuse collection days is anything to go by, we know that it’s impossible for the council to get the message to everyone (that was featured in Brightside, on the website and in council tax bills and still many said they knew nothing about the change), so if you know anyone who is thinking of, or might be interested in, attending the evening celebration please let them know about the ticketing scheme.

Updated 6 July: The arrangements for ticket distribution have been changed. The council’s website is clearly the definitive source for this information, and I will update this once I see that page has been refreshed and the new information put into the public domain.

Final update: The council have updated their page, and I’ve updated this accordingly.

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