The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay

On Sunday 17 July Knowsley welcomed The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay during its final journey through England. Continuing the community spirit seen across Knowsley to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, crowds turned out in force to witness this iconic moment when the Queen’s Baton travelled through Knowsley.

The Baton began its journey at the Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park where it was welcomed by a troupe of more than 100 Girl Guides from across Merseyside forming a ‘guard of honour’ as they made their way into the park.

Then local running group, Running Bugs guided the Baton and Batonbearer to the Velodrome via a live bootcamp training session with Volair Gym members.

At the Velodrome the Baton was passed to cyclists from Runcorn Cycling Club and Liverpool Century Cycling Club who took the Baton on a 5 laps of the Velodrome before the Knowsley BMX Club perform a skills demonstration for the crowds and Batonbearers alike.

The Baton then travelled to Knowsley Safari in convoy where the Relay made its way around the Foot Safari, with the runners passing by the giraffes and through the Tiger Trail.

From the Safari, the Batonbearers travelled into Prescot, down Eccleston Street to the newly opened Shakespeare North Playhouse.

Crowds awaiting the arrival of the Baton were treated to a sneak peek at a special ‘mass movement spectacle’ which is a celebration of Knowsley’s rich sporting heritage and thriving dance landscape. Featuring 100 dancers, the performance has been commissioned for and will premiere as part of Knowsley’s Sporting Legends Relay on Saturday 23rd July

Hosted by renowned local performance poet Curtis Watt, the end of celebration featured a performance of ‘A Song for Prescot’ which was created by Leo & Hyde especially for the event and performed by pupils from Evelyn Community Primary School.

The Queen’s Baton - which contains a message from The Queen to the Commonwealth - will be carried by a team of Batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories including those nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture or charity.

About the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay

Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities in every corner of the Commonwealth ahead of Birmingham 2022.

The Baton has already begun its epic journey across the Commonwealth, where it will have visited Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, and the Americas, it will return to England in July 2022 for the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games.

The Queen’s Baton will travel around England for 25 days, before the Relay officially ends at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on 28 July 2022. The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities from across Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.

This collective journey will ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration for the next generation, with these stories leaving us all inspired to take on the challenges that matter most to us.

For more information, visit birmingham2022.com/qbr