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

The baton will be carried through the town during its final journey through England this summer to celebrate Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The relay began in October with Her Majesty The Queen placing her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton.

On Saturday, July 16, it will arrive in Bolton, with the town planning a whole host of activities and events to mark the occasion.

Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth in the run up to the Games.

In England, the Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement of the build up the sporting event.

The relay will last 29 days in the country, before culminating at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on July 28,.

Kicking off on Thursday June 2, 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 July 4, to commence a 25-day tour of the regions.

The route through Bolton will begin at Queens Park, passing though the town before finishing outside the town hall where celebratory events will be held.

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.

Undated handout photo of artist Laura Nyahuye (centre) alongside (from left) Karen Newman, Director, BOM - Birmingham Open Media the organisation behind the concept -Tom Osman, Director, Raymont Osman, product designers, and Karl Hamlin, Kajul

The Birmingham 2022 website will be updated with information over the coming months, with detail on the events and where to line the route.

Chief Executive of Bolton Council, Tony Oakham said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the Baton to Bolton.

“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.”

The town also played host to the Olympic torch in 2012 when hundreds lined the street and a party was staged in Queens Park.

In the run up to the Commonwealth Games, 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.

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 vibrant 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.

When the Olympic torch came to Bolton

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 October 7, 2021, when the Queen 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 July 3, before returning to England in summer for the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games.

Phil Batty, Director of Ceremonies, Culture and 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 the biggest sporting event in West Midlands history."

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.”