Queen's Baton Relay comes to Devon
People will have a chance to see the Baton pass through Plymouth and Exeter today on its journey to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Last updated 4th Jul 2022
Local heroes will carry the Queen’s Baton in Plymouth and Exeter today as part of the final stage of an epic relay through the 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
Former Royal Marine and Invictus Games medal winner Mark Ormrod MBE and Exeter Foodbank manager Mark Richardson are just some of the inspiring people from Devon who have been nominated for the honour of passing the Baton - celebrating the positive impact they have had on their local communities.
They join thousands of other Batonbearers in the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay, a tradition of bringing together people and communities in a build-up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
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The relay began on 7 October 2021 and carries a message from Her Majesty The Queen inside the Baton.
After a journey across the world it has returned to England for a 25-day trip. Its final destination is the Opening Ceremony for the Games in Birmingham on the 28 July.
Members of the public are encouraged to come out and see the Baton’s arrival.
The Baton is set to arrive at the Mayflower Steps at Plymouth's Barbican at 9.00am, after setting sail from Mount Batten. It’s due to cross the National Marine Park – the UK’s first - on board Plymouth Boat Trips' e-Voyager.
Councillor Pat Patel, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure and Sport said: "In this special Platinum Jubilee year I’d encourage everyone to come along and see the spectacle of the Queen’s Relay Baton arrive for the first time across our wonderful Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
"It’s an honour for us to be able to show what Britain's Ocean City has to offer, and to cheer on and share the stories of our local heroes, our Batonbearers, in the true spirit of the event - hope, solidarity, collaboration and inspiration."
Cllr Pat Patel - Plymouth City Council
After making its way through Plymouth, the Baton will leave the city and make its way to Exeter.
Spectators will see it follow a loop along Exeter’s Quayside after setting off on a paddleboard just after 11.00am.
It will then be carried to the new leisure centre St Sidwell’s Point for the Devon School Games SEND (Special Education Needs and Disabilities) Swim Festival for a closed sporting event.
You can find the full route of where the Baton is due to travel through here.