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

The Queen's Baton Relay - image of Baton in Birmingham11.05.22

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Tamworth on Wednesday, July 20, 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 2022. 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.

And it has been revealed that on Wednesday, July 20, Tamworth 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 Tamworth, the Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the Sacred Heart Church, The Rawlett School and Tamworth Castle Grounds.

Starting around 3.30pm, activities will include a mini community games at the Sacred Heart Church, a celebratory display by pupils at The Rawlett School and a Singing for Fun performance at Tamworth Community Together CIC in the Castle Grounds. This will be followed by a free evening of entertainment in the grounds including stage demonstrations, community games, sports performances, singers and tribute acts.

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.

Cllr Robert Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “We’re over the moon that the Queen’s Baton Relay is travelling through Tamworth on its tour of England. We’re very lucky to be chosen and look forward to welcoming the Baton and Batonbearers to the town.

“Just as we did with the Olympic Torch back in 2012, we’ll again be pulling out all the stops to create a real community atmosphere and to showcase what Tamworth has to offer. While all the full details of the route will be revealed in the coming weeks, we’re delighted that the Tamworth leg of the Baton journey will culminate in a free community event in the Castle Grounds on the evening of Wednesday, July 20, including performances from sports and dance groups, a Community Games, local musicians and singers and tribute artists.

“More details will be available in the coming weeks, but we hope to see lots of people getting involved and experiencing the buzz of the Queen’s Baton Relay and the excitement for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”

Batonbearers revealed

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.  

Among the confirmed community Batonbearers are Tamworth siblings Ellie and Billy, who will be carrying the Baton in memory of their mum, Katie Niblett, who passed away in 2021, aged 39, after a long battle with ovarian cancer.

Katie was a much-loved and popular figure in Tamworth, particularly well-known for her sports. As well as competing in athletics and swimming as a youngster, she went on to develop community exercise and keep fit classes, inspiring and encouraging thousands of residents to become active over several years. Her popular Zumba classes and events alone were a hit with hundreds of people of all ages across the town.

During her illness, Katie raised thousands of pounds for ovarian cancer charities, and shared her story on social media to raise awareness of the deadly disease and its symptoms.

Katie’s children Ellie and Billy will jointly carry the Queen’s Baton in her honour.

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 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.”  

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, amongst 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.

The information provided on the route through England is subject to local authority approval and therefore could be subject to change.

ENDS