One month to go until Bath hosts Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay

Preparations for Bath to welcome the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay are stepping up the pace with a month to go until the baton arrives.

The 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay journeys to Bath on Tuesday 5th July and will be welcomed at the Royal Crescent before making its way through the city, into the Roman Baths, before leaving the city outside the Guildhall.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has launched a new dedicated webpage with details of the route, updates on the Batonbearers and travel advice.

A map of the route is available on the webpage to help people plan where to watch the baton’s journey through Bath.

Two of the confirmed community Batonbearers in Bath & North East Somerset are Ed and Lois Jackson who were nominated for setting up ‘Millimetres 2 Mountains’, an initiative taking people with physical and mental ill health on mountain expeditions to aid recovery.

Ed, a former rugby player, was left quadriplegic after a diving accident. After extensive surgery and rehabilitation he took on a climb of Mount Snowdon, and during lockdown climbed the equivalent height of Everest by walking up and down the stairs, raising more than £50,000 for ‘Wings For Life’. Encouraged by his wife Lois, a Sports Coach and Life Coach, they set up their own foundation to help others facing adversity undertake similar climbing challenges.

Councillor Kevin Guy, council Leader, said: “Excitement is really building in Bath now with a month to go until the Queen’s Baton Relay arrives. We are honoured to be hosting the baton in the city, starting at the Royal Crescent then weaving its way down through the centre to the Roman Baths. The Batonbearers have given so much to their communities and I’m looking forward to welcoming them to the city at this historic moment which will cement Bath’s status on the world stage.”

The Relay began on October 7, 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.

The Baton 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 28 July 2022. Having started its journey on Thursday 2 June, the Baton spent four days in London, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend. The Baton is now resuming its international journey and returns to England on Monday 4th July to commence a 25-day tour of the regions including visiting Bath on Tuesday 5th July.

Further information on the Queen’s Baton Relay can be found at www.birmingham2022.com/qbr.