Birmingham 2022: Queen's Baton Relay coming to Hereford

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

In England, the Queen's Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport nears ever closer.

When is the Baton in Hereford?

The schedule of activity for the Baton's time in Hereford on Tuesday, July 5 includes:

• 2.45pm, the Batonbearers will carry the Baton from the Cathedral, onto King Street, Bridge Street, St Martins Street, St Martins Avenue over the Victoria Bridge, through the Castle Green then Quay Street

• The Baton is expected to arrive back at the Cathedral at around 3.30pm

Can I watch the relay?

Herefordshire Council says members of the public are encouraged to line the route, 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.

To help ensure safety of people involved with the celebrations and lining the route, West Street, Broad Street, King Street, Bridge Street, St Martins Street, Quay Street and part of Castle Street will be closed to traffic for a maximum of two hours between 2pm and 4pm disruption will kept to a minimum with roads being re-opened as soon as possible.

The Queen's Baton Relay route through Hereford

Parking restrictions will be in place along Bridge Street, King Street, Broad Street and Castle Street (up to Ferriers Street) from 12.30pm until 4pm.

Are there other events on during the day?

Events during the afternoon include a range of family activities on King George V playing field. For further information see: talkcommunitydirectory.org/QueensBaton

What is the Queen's Baton Relay?

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 placed Her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton and 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.

The Queen's Baton for Birmingham 2022 was created in a West Midlands collaboration that fused art, technology and science. Made from copper, aluminium and steel, the Baton also features a platinum strand in homage to The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year. It is also equipped with cutting-edge technology; 360-degree camera, heart rate monitor, atmospheric sensors and LED lighting.

About the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games   

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held from July 28 until August 8, will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to put the city, the region, and its people on the global stage.   

The Games is already proving to be a catalyst for transformation across the West Midlands, attracting new investment and funding, creating jobs and apprenticeships for local people and new opportunities for local businesses, as well as accelerating projects that will ensure the region is ready to host a fantastic sports and cultural celebration.   

Birmingham 2022 will be the Games for everyone, bringing people together from across Birmingham and the region, to provide a warm welcome to millions of visitors during the summer of 2022.

This summer's event, is set to be the first major multi-sports event to take place free of any Covid-19 restrictions.

The pandemic made an already shortened run-in time to the Games even more challenging for Birmingham 2022 chief executive Ian Reid and his team, but now the Scot believes it brings an extra excitement and spotlight to the region.

Birmingham is likely to be the last Commonwealth Games of its kind, with the Commonwealth Games Federation's new roadmap offering greater flexibility to hosts on the number and type of sports they include.

While Reid believes those changes are welcome, he feels Birmingham is well equipped to host under the 'old' model, and insists the two major capital projects – the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium, which will host athletics, and the new-build Sandwell Aquatics Centre – will be valuable community assets.