The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Queen’s Baton in Angus.
Latest leg ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia
A symbol of Commonwealth Games spirit was welcomed in Angus and Dundee yesterday.
The Queen’s Baton Relay passed through Tayside as part of its world tour ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast.
The baton, which carries a message from the Queen, visited Clepington Primary School in Dundee and then Kirriemuir in Angus.
Pupils at the Dundee school took part in an Australia-themed day of activities to mark the occasion.
Carrying the baton to the school was former international hockey star Ailsa Wyllie.
The children chose a ‘shorts and shades’ theme as a nod to the hot weather in Australia, where the Commonwealth Games will be held next year.
Ailsa, who represented Scotland in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, said: “It is such an honour to be chosen as baton bearer.
“It was an honour to represent Scotland as an athlete and now that I’ve retired, I want to take the opportunity to give something back. Anything I can do to pass on enthusiasm for the sport is great.”
As well as meeting Ailsa, the children of Clepington Primary had the chance to try out hockey on the school’s lawn.
Louise Martin, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “We wanted to have as many young people seeing the baton as possible.
“It is a chance to bring everybody together and share in the excitement – and most importantly, the baton is carrying the Queen’s message.”
Meanwhile, the baton’s arrival in Kirriemuir marked the town’s links to Australia via the former lead singer of AC/DC, Bon Scott, among generations of emigrants.
The baton was carried to the Bon Scott statue in Bellies Brae by 2014 Commonwealth bowls gold medallist Darren Burnett, in a procession piped along by James MacCallum from Barry, who is a member of Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band.
Angus Provost Ronnie Proctor addressed a crowd of residents and pupils from Angus primaries.
“The baton is a symbol of hope, ambition and solidarity among the many peoples of our Commonwealth,” he said. “Many thousands will celebrate its journey across the Commonwealth nations ahead of its arrival on the Australian Gold Coast for next year’s Commonwealth Games.
“We in Angus were the proud hosts of the shooting events for the 2014 Games, we share the host nation’s excitement and look forward to 2018 for another celebration of sporting excellence.”