Queen's Baton Relay to visit Hemel Hempstead this July before Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

The Queen’s Baton Relay is set to visit Hemel Hempstead in the lead up to this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Baton will officially be welcomed to the Hertfordshire town on Friday 8 July as well as passing through Gravesend, Tilbury, Basildon, Southend-on-Sea, Maldon, Waltham Cross and Luton.

Whilst in Hemel the Baton will visit the town centre, Old Town and Gadebridge Park, as it makes its journey across England in July.

A schedule of activities has been planned and will include performances from local sports groups as well as a wellness festival.

Ian Reid, Chief Executive of Birmingham 2022, said: “Whilst the Baton has been travelling across the Commonwealth, we have worked closely with Local Authorities in England to devise a route that engages with hundreds of communities, passing sport venues, historic sites, local schools and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“Yet the Queen’s Baton Relay is far more than just a journey. It symbolises connecting people from every corner of the Commonwealth, celebrates Batonbearers who take on challenges, and marks the countdown to the biggest sporting event in West Midlands history.

“And by the time the Baton returns to England for the final leg, 71 nations and territories will have already experienced the magic that comes with it.

“We hope that communities across the country join the excitement, attend events near them, line the streets to cheer on our incredible Batonbearers and celebrate the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”

Councillor Julie Banks, Portfolio Holder for Community and Regulatory Services, added: “We are thrilled and honoured that the Queen's Baton Relay will be passing through Hemel Hempstead on Friday 8 July, as part of its journey through all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

“This is a great opportunity for our whole community to come together to cheer on the Batonbearers and enjoy the collective excitement in the lead up to the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on 28 July.”

Credit: Dacorum Borough Council.

The Queen’s Baton Relay was first introduced at the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games.

It has now become a Games tradition with Birmingham 2022 staging the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which will bring together and celebrate communities across the Commonwealth. 

The Relay for this year’s Games began at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021 with Her Majesty the Queen placing her message to the Commonwealth in the specially designed Baton before it was passed to the first Batonbearer, four-time Paralympic gold medallist, Kadeena Cox.

The Baton is now on its epic journey across the Commonwealth visiting all 72 nations and territories – covering approximately 90,000 miles.

It will return to England in July to mark the final countdown of the Commonwealth Games and is set to travel the length of the country as part of a 25-day tour, before officially ending at the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony – where it will be returned to Her Majesty the Queen.

Birmingham 2022 will take place from 28 July - 8 August.

Find out more at: www.birmingham2022.com