Queen’s Baton Relay set to tour Guernsey on Monday

The Queen began the relay at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021, when she placed her message to the Commonwealth into the baton and passed it to the first baton-bearer, Team England athlete Kadeena Cox, who is a four-time Paralympic gold medallist.

On Monday Bailiff Richard McMahon and Lt-Governor Richard Cripwell will officially welcome the Queen’s Baton to its 67th location, following its stop in Jersey on Friday.

‘I am delighted that the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a part of this extraordinary journey,’ said Guernsey Commonwealth Games Association chairman David Harry.

‘It’s a way to highlight and promote the beauty of Guernsey to people across the Commonwealth.’

Across 269 days, the baton has been passed through Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas, before it is returned to the Queen on 28 July, when her message will be read aloud to officially start the Commonwealth Games. This is the 16th Queen’s Baton Relay since the tradition began at the 1958 Games in Cardiff.

Guernsey chef de mission Angela Stuart said the baton’s visit was highly anticipated. ‘We are looking forward to celebrating the arrival of the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay in our community and are well on track with our planning for the occasion.’

Team Guernsey athletes who will be competing at this summer’s games will carry the baton through a packed schedule of events including visits to Herm, Castle Cornet, the Royal Court building and Government House. School children and local athletes will also carry it in a variety of relay activities.

Mrs Stuart added: ‘Everyone here is excited to get involved with the festivities and to cheer on the baton-bearers.’

The baton can also be viewed at the KGV on Sunday afternoon, turn to page 34 for details.

. For more information, visit www.birmingham2022.com/qbr.