THE QUEEN’S Baton Relay has begun its journey across England and is on its way to its final destination – the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony.
The Baton is on its 25-day tour of England and will visit every region in the final leg of its epic journey.
The England leg started at the Eden Project in the South West of England where it was received by Denise Lewis on behalf of Team England who then pass it onto the first Batonbearer.
The Baton will then visit every region with the final eleven days touring the West Midlands, including Solihull and Coventry before reaching its ultimate destination.
The Relay officially began its journey on October 7 and by July 28 it will have visited all 72 Commonwealth nations and territories, bringing cultures and communities together in the lead up to Birmingham 2022.
It has just completed visits to the Home Nations: Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
In Scotland Batonbearers took the Baton to Loch Ness, the internationally renowned home of the Loch Ness Monster and visited Dumfries House, which is part of the Prince’s Foundation, established in 1986 by the Prince of Wales.
In Northern Ireland the Baton was taken to visit a selection of care and support centres and visited Giant’s Causeway, the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Baton arrived in Wales on a lifeboat and was welcomed at a reception at Holyhead sailing club, where Shenkin the Goat, the Goat Major, and the Royal Welsh Band were awaiting its arrival.
Ian Metcalfe, chair of Commonwealth Games England said: “The countdown to the Games is well and truly on now, as we welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay on its tour of England.
“The next 25 days will see over 70 Team England athletes, past and present, join in with the celebrations and share the pride of carrying the Queen’s message across the nation.
“The Queen’s Baton Relay is a symbol not only of the Games, but of the entire Commonwealth uniting nations, communities and culture ahead of Birmingham 2022.”
For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay visit qbr.birmingham2022.com.
