There are just days to go until the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay is welcomed to Bath ahead of the Commonwealth Games this summer.
Lois Jackson, Councillor Kevin Guy and Ed Jackson | Photo courtesy of B&NES Council
The baton will arrive at the Royal Crescent on Tuesday 5th July and will be carried by nine local Batonbearers before making its way down through the city to the Roman Baths.
Batonbearers Ed and Lois Jackson visited the Roman Baths on Tuesday 21st June ahead of the baton’s arrival.
Ed, a former rugby player, was left quadriplegic after a diving accident and with his wife Lois, set up Millimetres 2 Mountains, an initiative taking people with physical and mental ill health on mountain expeditions to aid recovery.
Ed said: “To be able to walk the baton through my hometown is a real privilege and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone out and about on the day so we can say hello.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “There’s only two weeks until the epic journey of the baton arrives in Bath and we’re delighted that the city will be part of it.
“This prestigious and exciting event will showcase everything Bath has to offer. Don’t miss out – make sure you’re there to watch.”
The baton will arrive at the Royal Crescent at around 9.30am on 5th July and then at the Roman Baths at around 10am before leaving Bath at the Guildhall.
Primary school children will dress in traditional Roman clothing to welcome the baton to the city.
The Year 6 pupils from St Andrew’s Church School will sport Roman togas and form a guard of honour when it arrives at the Roman Baths.
Alongside the children will be the Gloucester-based Ermine Street Guards, the leading society studying the Roman army and its equipment.
Jayne Rochford-Smith, Headteacher at St Andrew’s Church School, said: “St Andrew’s Church School feel privileged and honoured to be invited to be part of the Queen’s Baton Relay.
“This will be a wonderful experience for Year 6 during their last term at St Andrew’s and also celebrates our long-term collaboration with the Roman Baths and their wonderful education team.”
A map of the route can be viewed on the council’s website.
Further details of the other Batonbearers are due to be revealed this week.
The relay began on 7th October 2021, with Her Majesty The Queen placing her Message to the Commonwealth into the baton.
The baton is now on its 294-day long journey to every corner of the Commonwealth.
It 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 28th July 2022.
