Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay visits Devizes
The Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay came through Devizes today (Tuesday 5 July) and was greeted by lots of excited school children and local residents.
The Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay came through Devizes today (Tuesday 5 July) and was greeted by lots of excited school children and local residents.
The Queen's Baton Relay is a Games tradition that aims to celebrate, connect and excite communities across the Commonwealth in the build up to the Games. The journey through Devizes is part of the Baton's final route through England in the lead up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in July.
Starting in the Market Place, it was taken on a journey through the town on a horse drawn dray towards the Kennet & Avon Canal. From there, it travelled on a canal boat and on foot down the tow path towards the famous Caen Hill Locks.
Batonbearers, nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture or charity, were given the honour of carrying the Baton during its journey through Devizes.
Kathryn Marygold was the opening Batonbearer on the route, taking the Baton from the Market Place on a horse-drawn dray down to the Wharf. Kathryn, who has Worster Drought Syndrome and Autism, was nominated by her parents for her always showing others that having a disability does not have to hold you back. Kathryn has recently completed her Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award and always has a smile for everyone she meets.
Kathryn said, I was really excited and proud to be selected as a Batonbearer for the Queen's Baton Relay. It was great to start the baton off on its journey today and I really enjoyed going on the horse and dray through Devizes.
The event was organised in conjunction with the Queen's Baton Relay team with Wiltshire Council, Devizes Town Council and the Canal & River Trust.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said, We are honoured that Wiltshire has welcomed the Queen's Baton Relay and it has been great to see so many people come out and support the Batonbearers as they made their way through Devizes today.
Now we look forward to the start of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and would like to wish good luck to all of the local Wiltshire athletes who have worked hard to represent their country. We would like to wish you every success.
Cllr Peter Corbett, Devizes Town Mayor said, The event was a wonderful occasion for the town as the Mayor, I am delighted that Devizes was chosen to be part of the Queen's Baton Relay Route for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, passing through so many countries and individual hands.
As a town, Devizes has always embraced the Commonwealth Games mission in bringing people together, improving health and wellbeing, supporting growth and success and being open to positive change. Therefore, Devizes has rightly taken its place in being part of the Queen's Baton Relay.
Caroline Kendall, Community Engagement Manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: We've been delighted to be part of the Queen's Baton Relay. This has been such a special day, connecting communities across the region, nation and, of course, the Commonwealth. So it's apt to have hosted some of the baton's journey on a part of a waterway network that also connects communities across the county - the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Devizes Flight and our magnificent Caen Hill Lock Flight.
We are especially proud of our volunteer Thelma Edwards for being chosen as Batonbearer and thank her for representing the Canal & River Trust so well.
For information on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, visit www.birmingham2022.com (opens new window).