Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay to visit Stratford-on-Avon District

The Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay will visit Stratford-on-Avon District during its final journey through England this July.

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 gets ever closer.

The Queen's Baton Relay is set to travel the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before arriving at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on 28 July 2022.

On Thursday 2 June, the Baton spent four days in London, coinciding with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Weekend, and then resumed the international leg of its journey before returning to England on Monday 4 July to kick off a 25-day tour of the regions.

On Friday 22 July, Stratford-on-Avon District will officially welcome the Baton and its Batonbearers.

That day's route will start in Kenilworth, before heading to Whitnash, Warwick, Gaydon, Stratford-upon-Avon, Broadway, Pershore, Upton-upon-Severn, Malvern and finishing in Worcester.

During its time in Stratford-on-Avon District the Queen's Baton Relay will visit the British Motor Museum at Gaydon at 9.57am, followed by Stratford-upon-Avon.  The Baton is scheduled to reach Stratford Recreation Ground at 10.51am, at the outdoor gym.

The relay will then follow the paths on the Rec passing the new cycle training area and leave the Rec on the Chain Ferry across the River Avon. It will then move in front of The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, before heading up Bridge Street to Henley Street with a final stop at the Shakespeare Statue, before leaving for its next destination.

Cllr Ian Shenton, Climate Change Portfolio with responsibilities for Leisure at Stratford District Council said: "This is such an honour for Stratford-on-Avon District to be part of the Queen's Baton Relay, especially with the Commonwealth Games on our doorstep. We are looking forward to celebrating its arrival and giving it a warm welcome."

The schedule of activity for the Baton's time in Stratford-on-Avon District includes:

• 09.57am - British Motor Museum, Gaydon
  The Batonbearers will be joined by the Queen's 1953 Land Rover Series 1 which accompanied the Queen and Prince Philip on a six-month Commonwealth tour soon after the coronation.
  
  There will also be a display of over 150 British classics outside the Museum for the public to view and discounted entry to the Museum for spectators.
  For more information please visit: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/qbr

• 10.51am - Start from outdoor Gym, Recreation Ground, Stratford-upon-Avon.
  From 10am - 12noon Everyone Active will have equipment available on the Rec so that families can turn up and play activities as well as offering outdoor gym inductions.
  
  
• 10.56am - Batonbearers make their way to the learn to ride track - where Heart of England Mencap will be showcasing one of its free accessible bike sessions.
  
  Throughout the afternoon a range of accessible bikes will be available for anyone who wants to turn up and have a go - for free - supported by the Heart of England Mencap team to launch its new Cyc-Ability programme.
  
  For more information please visit: https://www.heartofenglandmencap.org.uk/news/accessible-cycling-pedals-into-stratford
  
  
• 11.09am - Chain Ferry cross supported by Avon Boating
  
  
• 11.17am - Batonbearers make their way to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre where there will be a photo of the baton with representatives from Forest of Hearts, who have recently worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company to create a Forest Garden in The Dell, located on the banks of the River Avon.  
   
  Forest of Hearts is a non-profit Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) who create 'gardens for good' to improve wellbeing, boost biodiversity and enhance employability. They work in partnership with other charities and community organisations to create places of purpose and pleasure which help individuals to develop skills, confidence and friendships, that like the gardens themselves, can grow and thrive. 

www.forestofhearts.com/our-charity
www.rsc.org.uk

• 11.29am - Route ends at Shakespeare statue on Henley Street.

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 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.

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. 

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 and Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas, before returning to England for the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games.

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 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 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."

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