Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay to visit Buckinghamshire as full England route revealed

Cultural and the Arts, Homepage, Physical Activities

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay is confirmed to visit Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire on Wednesday 6 July 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 Queen’s Baton 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 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 28 July. Kicking off on Thursday 2 June, 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 4 July to commence a 25-day tour of the regions.

On Wednesday 6 July, Buckinghamshire will officially welcome the Baton.

A busy schedule of activities and events are planned for the Queen’s Baton Relay, with opportunities to highlight untold stories from Batonbearers who are striving for change in their community.

During its time in Buckinghamshire, the Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Stoke Mandeville Stadium and will experience a range of exciting sports activities, led by young people, and enjoyed by children of all abilities from neighbouring schools.

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. The Birmingham 2022 website will be updated with information over the coming months, with detail on the events and where to line the route.

Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure said: “We’re delighted and honoured to have been selected to welcome the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay to Buckinghamshire. As a county we have a rich history of inclusive sports and welcome the opportunity to host the Queen’s Baton as it continues its journey across the Commonwealth, which feels even more momentous in this Platinum Jubilee year.”

Martin McElhatton, chief executive of WheelPower, hosts of the event at Stoke Mandeville Stadium commented: “To be able to host the Baton at the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement and promote all ability sports is a great honour in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games 2022. The Stadium offers the perfect place to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay – building on the tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities across the Commonwealth in the build up to the Games. We hope that this once in a lifetime event will inspire a new generation of young sports enthusiasts in Buckinghamshire and across the country.”

Leap is a social enterprise that exists to improve the lives of residents in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes through regular movement, physical activity and sport. They are working with young Leaders from Aylesbury High School to ensure the Batonbearers and local children have a fun and varied experience of sports and physical activity during their visit.

Mark Stokes, Head of Children & Young People at Leap said: “What a fabulous opportunity for our young people to experience the excitement and joy of sport with the international Commonwealth community. Our young Leaders are working hard to create a legacy from what promises to be a wonderful and memorable event”.

Thousands of Batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the Baton during the journey through England. These Batonbearers include 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.

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 energetic 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.

Since its inaugural appearance at the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Baton Relay has been a tradition for the Commonwealth Games.

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay began at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021, when The Queen placed Her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton and passed it to four-time Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox, who had the honour of being the first of thousands of Batonbearers to carry the Baton.

Since then, the Baton has visited Commonwealth nations and territories in Europe, Africa, Oceania. It still has further destinations in the Caribbean, the Americas, and more countries in Europe, including the Home Nations consisting of five days in Scotland, four in Northern Ireland and five in Wales, where it will finish on Sunday 3 July, before returning to England in summer for the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games.

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

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 Batonbearers who take on challenges, and marks the countdown 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 Batonbearers 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.”

Throughout May, the Queen’s Baton Relay continues its journey through the Caribbean and the Americas, with visits to St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda and Canada, among others.

The Queen’s Baton 
The Queen’s Baton for Birmingham 2022 was created in a West Midlands collaboration that fused art, technology and science. Made from copper, aluminium and steel, the Baton also features a platinum strand in homage to The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year. It is also equipped with cutting-edge technology; 360-degree camera, heart rate monitor, atmospheric sensors and LED lighting.

For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit: www.birmingham2022.com/qbr