PERSHORE will play host to the Queen’s Baton Relay this summer less than a week before the 2022 Commonwealth Games kicks off in Birmingham.
Wychavon will officially welcome the baton on the afternoon of Friday, July 22. During its time in the district, relay will travel through the heart of Broadway, before being received at Broadway Tower for a community celebration event.
The baton will then make its way through Bridge Street and High Street in Pershore, before heading off towards Upton-upon-Severn. Community events and activities are also planned on the day.
A busy schedule of activities and events are planned for the Queen’s Baton Relay, with opportunities to highlight untold stories from baton bearers who are striving for change in their community.
Thousands of baton bearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the baton during its journey.
After arriving back in England on July 4, the iconic baton will begin the final leg of its global journey in the West Midlands on July 18 and on July 22 it will visit Pershore, Upton-upon-Severn and Malvern before arriving in Worcester at teatime.
Just six days later, the baton will reach the finish line at the opening ceremony for the 2022 games.
Coun Rob Adams, executive board member for Stronger Communities, Culture and Sport on Wychavon District Council, said: “I am thrilled to confirm that the Queen’s Baton Relay will be visiting Wychavon.
“I encourage people to come out to line the streets, as they did for the Olympic Torch in 2012, and get involved in the excitement and show their support for the baton and the baton bearers.”
The relay began at Buckingham Palace last October, 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 baton bearers to carry the item.
Since then, it has visited Commonwealth nations and territories in Europe, Africa, Oceania. It still has further destinations to visit in the Caribbean, the Americas, and more countries in Europe.
Commonwealth Games minister and Evesham’s MP Nigel Huddleston, said: “The 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay is coming home. Travelling the length and breadth of England, the baton will bring the excitement of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games to every region of the country.
“The relay marks the final countdown to the biggest sporting event to be held in the UK since London 2012 and I hope people come together and line their streets to celebrate this historic moment.”
