Queen’s Baton Relay to be welcomed around the county
CARMARTHENSHIRE will welcome the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay on Friday.
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from July 28 until August 8 and ahead of the competition the Queen’s Baton Relay is travelling across the Commonwealth in a journey to all 72 nations and territories.
The journey brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the buildup to the games.
The Queen’s Baton arrives in Anglesey today as part of its fiveday tour across Wales and will travel down the country and across South Wales, providing the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement of the games, as the 11 days of sport get ever closer.
A busy schedule of activities and events are planned and hundreds of baton bearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the Baton during its journey through Wales.
More than 150 schoolchildren will be at Pembrey Country Park at 2.15pm on Friday afternoon to welcome the Baton to Carmarthenshire, along with county council chairman Cllr Rob Evans, before being transported via toboggan, skis, bike and beach wheelchair to Cefn Sidan beach and into the safe hands of the RNLI, who will then take the Baton by boat to Burry Port Harbour.
The Baton will arrive at the harbour at around 3.20pm and given to the Silver and Gold Sports Young Ambassadors from Carmarthenshire’s secondary schools, who will take it in turns to run and cycle just over three miles along the Millennium Coastal Path, arriving in North Dock in Llanelli at 4.15pm.
Here the Baton will be welcomed by Carmarthenshire Council leader Cllr Darren Price, along with a number of inspiring county athletes who will be representing Wales at the Commonwealth Games.
Residents are being encouraged to get involved with the celebrations and embrace the arrival of the Baton, with a range of activities taking place at North Dock, organised by the council’s Actif sports and leisure team.
The fun will go on throughout the afternoon until 7pm, when various activities to promote health and wellbeing will be held.
Cllr Price said: “We look forward to welcoming the Queen’s Baton Relay to Carmarthenshire and I am sure local communities will join in the celebrations as the Baton travels from Pembrey Country Park to Llanelli’s North Dock.
“It is guaranteed to be an exciting day, especially with the Baton travelling to Burry Port Harbour by boat and then on to North Dock, where there will a host of sporting activities to take part in.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in organising such a momentous day for Carmarthenshire and its residents, again showcasing our beautiful county and what it has to offer to the world.”