The Queen’s Baton Relay has started its England route ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The relay kicked off on 4 July at the Eden Project in Cornwall, before travelling 2,500 miles around the country ahead of its arrival at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on 28 July.
The event is set to spend 25 days travelling the length of England, visiting some 180 different communities.
First batonbearer, Oli Turrell, received the baton from Denise Lewis, President of Team England at the Eden Project. During the day it will tour the Eden Project and it will be later welcomed by vessels in Plymouth, Devon.
The baton – made of copper, aluminium and brass – will then be taken on a paddleboard in Exeter.
“We are delighted that the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the Eden Project on 4 July as part of its incredible journey through England this summer,” said Peter Stewart, Eden Project Executive Director ahead of the event.
“We are looking forward to celebrating the arrival of the Baton and everyone here is excited to give it a warm welcome.”
The Queen’s Baton Relay has been a Commonwealth Games tradition since it first appeared at the 1958 games in Cardiff – back when the games were still known as the Empire Games.
This relay began on 7 October 2021, with The Queen placing her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton before it began its 294-day long journey, taking in all of its nations and territories.
Thousands of people who have made a positive impact on their communities will carry the baton on its journey.
Discover the full England journey of the baton here: Queen’s Baton Relay, England Route.
