Queen’s Baton Relay coming to Bury St Edmunds
The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay is due to visit Bury St Edmunds during its final journey through England this summer, as the full route is revealed today.
It is coming to the town on Saturday, July 9, with a series of events being planned, including a baton real through the Abbey Gardens.
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.
The Queen’s Baton 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 July 28.
Kicking off on Thursday, June 2, the Baton will spend four days in London, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend. The Baton will then resume the international journey and return to England on Monday, July 4, to commence a 25-day tour of the regions including Bury St Edmunds.
A busy schedule of activities and events are planned with opportunities to highlight untold stories from Baton bearers who are striving for change in their community.
During its time in Bury St Edmunds, the Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the Abbey Gardens and will experience the historic precincts of the Cathedral, celebrating its 1000th anniversary.
John Griffiths, leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “It is a delight and honour for Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk to be part of the Queen’s Baton Relay. This epic journey visits all 72 Commonwealth nations and territories, across Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas, on its way to the 16th Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. This year we mark time passed, with the Platinum Jubilee and the Abbey’s Millennium, and hopes for the best possible time to come as the Commonwealth competes and celebrates together. On behalf of our historic town, I look forward to welcoming visitors and residents alike, to share the moment and take home cherished memories.”
Thousands of Batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the Baton during the journey through England, including those nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture or charity.
Between 40 and 130 Batonbearers will carry the Baton each day, and the relay will reach hundreds of villages, towns and cities during its tour of the country.
One of the confirmed community Batonbearers in the East of England is 82-year-old Anthony King, from Peterborough, who was nominated for his service to the community is his mantra as Scout leader/commissioner, Rotarian and sports volunteer.
Anthony is a qualified athletics official – coaching juniors as well as internationally qualified course measurer. A fund raiser for Cancer Research and his local hospice, Tony volunteers at the hospice and outpatients of his local hospital and takes part in weekly Park Runs and was a participant at Great North Run 2021.
Travelling via land, air and sea, more than 180 communities in England will experience the Queen’s Baton on a route spanning 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometres). From cities and historic market towns, to rolling countryside and rugged coastline, the Baton will head as far south as Cornwall and as far north as Northumberland.
The dates of when the Baton visits each region are:
- 4 July – 5 July: South West
- 6 July – 7 July: South East
- 8 July – 9 July: East of England
- 10 July – 11 July: East Midlands
- 12 July – 13 July: Yorkshire and the Humber
- 14 July – 15 July: North East
- 16 July – 17 July: North West
- 18 July – 28 July: West Midlands
For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit www.birmingham2022.com/qbr