Posted on Thursday 12th May 2022
Victoria Wilson
The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Staffordshire during its final journey through England this summer, as the full route is revealed.
Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build up to the games. In England, the relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport nears ever closer.
The relay is set to travel the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before culminating at the opening ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on 28 July. The relay will visit Staffordshire over four days, including:
• 18 July - Newcastle under Lyme
• 19 July – Stafford
• 19 July – Staffordshire Moorlands
• 20 July - East Staffordshire
• 20 July - Lichfield
• 20 July - Tamworth
• 23 July - South Staffordshire
• 23 July - Cannock Chase
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council said:
This is a really exciting time and it’s brilliant news that the Queen’s Baton Relay will be making several appearances in the county. I’m sure it will create an enormous buzz in the lead up to the games in the summer and I would like to thank all our local baton-bearers who are taking part.
The games will be a huge event for the region and we’re incredibly proud to be hosting two events - the men’s and women’s cycling time trials in the South of the county and the mountain biking in Cannock Chase. Both events will help showcase our amazing county to the world and a global audience.”
Members of the public are encouraged to get involved with the celebrations and embrace the arrival of the Baton, taking the opportunity to experience the buzz of Birmingham 2022 in their community.
Thousands of baton-bearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the Baton during the journey, including those nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture or charity.
Phil Batty, Director of Ceremonies, Culture & Queen's Baton Relay, said:
Whilst the Baton has been travelling across the Commonwealth, we have worked closely with Local Authorities in England to devise a route that engages with hundreds of communities, passing sport venues, historic sites, local schools and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Yet the Queen’s Baton Relay is far more than just a journey. It symbolises connecting people from every corner of the Commonwealth, celebrates baton-bearers who take on challenges and marks the countdown to the biggest sporting event in West Midlands history. And by the time the Baton returns to England for the final leg, 71 nations and territories will have already experienced the magic that comes with it.
We hope that communities across the country join the excitement, attend events near them, line the streets to cheer on our incredible baton-bearers and celebrate the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
Commonwealth Games Federation President, Dame Louise Martin DBE said:
The Queen’s Baton Relay symbolises hope, solidarity and collaboration across the Commonwealth at a time when it is needed most. It continues to inspire people wherever it goes and creates huge excitement for Birmingham 2022 as it journeys towards the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on July 28.”
For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit www.birmingham2022.com/qbr