The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay is confirmed to visit Nottingham during its final journey through England this summer, as the full route is revealed.
- Queen’s Baton Relay route through England revealed
- Baton will visit the city on Sunday 10 July
- It will spend 2 days in the East Midlands between 10-11 July
Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. In England, the Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport nears ever closer.
The Queen’s Baton Relay 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. Kicking off on Thursday 2 June, the Baton will spend four days in London, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend. The Baton will then resume the international journey and return to England on Monday 4 July to commence a 25-day tour of the regions.
On Sunday 10 July, Trent Bridge will officially welcome the Baton at the IT20 England v India match so those lucky enough to have a ticket for this sell-out fixture will be able to see the baton there.
A busy schedule of activities and events are planned for the Queen’s Baton Relay, with opportunities to highlight untold stories from Batonbearers who are striving for change in their community.
During its time in Nottinghamshire, the Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, and Nottingham Castle and will experience a ride along the Nottingham and Beeston Canal via kayak, before travelling through the famous network of caves to Nottingham Castle.
A detailed schedule of activity for the Baton’s time in Nottinghamshire will be revealed in due course.
Members of the public are encouraged to get involved with the celebrations and embrace the arrival of the Baton, taking the opportunity to experience the buzz of Birmingham 2022 in their community. The Birmingham 2022 website will be updated with information over the coming months, with detail on the events and where to line the route.
Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Planning at Nottingham City Council said:
“We look forward to welcoming the Baton into the city in July and working with our colleagues at Trent Bridge, Nottingham Castle, and Visit Nottinghamshire to showcase the best of the area. Being able to experience World-Class sport, historic waterways, the famous Nottingham Castle and the legends of Robin Hood, over such as short journey will make for a great experience for the Batonbearers.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to community baton bearer, Amdani Juma on his nomination and to thank him for his incredible hard work in the city and beyond.”
David Johns, interim CEO of Nottingham Castle, said:
“It’s a real honour to be welcoming the Queen’s Baton Relay to Nottingham on Sunday 10 July.
“The Relay marks an important opportunity to bring communities together and celebrate the upcoming Commonwealth Games, so the fact it’s making a pitstop to Nottingham is really special.
“Nottingham is a city steeped in history with a thriving and vibrant community, and so much to see and do. This includes its network of famous caves and Nottingham Castle with its stunning grounds and rich collection of art.
“We’re incredibly proud of our city and we look forward to shining a light on all Nottingham and the East Midlands has to offer during the upcoming visit.”
One of the confirmed community Batonbearers in the East Midlands is Amdani Juma, who was nominated for the East Midlands With the help of the British Red Cross. Amdani has been chosen as a Batonbearer as he is a figure of inspiration that positively challenges others to achieve their best.
Amdani Juma arrived in the UK following the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Inspired by the support he received, Amdani started volunteering for the British Red Cross, trained to become a first aider and began working with refugees and people who are HIV positive. In 2007, he set up his own HIV awareness project called African Institute for Social Development which offers health services and support.
The project gained interest from Prince Harry who was impressed by the methods of engagement used to support African men, women, and small businesses. In 2013, inspired by the London 2012 Olympics, Amdani set up Nottingham Sports Group, geared towards making sports accessible, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following this, in 2014, Amdani set up Sanctuary Nottingham. The idea for the self-help group for LGBTQ+ refugees was born after learning about asylum seekers from South Asia who had experienced abuse. Since 2014, Sanctuary Nottingham has helped 22 people gain their legal right to remain in the UK.
Amdani also works in cooperation with Nottingham City Council, NHS and police network in Nottingham to offer support. Amdani finds his work hugely rewarding, especially when he sees people he has supported, working in secure jobs and enjoys celebrating their success. He is delighted to join in with the annual Rainbow Nottinghamshire festivities and is proud to introduce LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum to the support networks that exist.
Travelling via land, air and sea, more than 180 communities in England will experience the Queen’s Baton on a route spanning 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometres). From energetic cities and historic market towns, to rolling countryside and rugged coastline, the Baton will head as far south as Cornwall and as far north as Northumberland.
Since its inaugural appearance at the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Baton Relay has been a tradition for the Commonwealth Games.
The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay began at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021, when The Queen placed Her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton and passed it to four-time Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox, who had the honour of being the first of thousands of Batonbearers to carry the Baton.
Since then, the Baton has visited Commonwealth nations and territories in Europe, Africa, Oceania. It still has further destinations in the Caribbean, the Americas, and more countries in Europe, including the Home Nations consisting of five days in Scotland, four in Northern Ireland and five in Wales, where it will finish on Sunday 3 July, before returning to England in summer for the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games.
The dates of when the Baton visits each region are:
- 4 July – 5 July: South West
- 6 July – 7 July: South East
- 8 July – 9 July: East of England
- 10 July – 11 July: East Midlands
- 12 July – 13 July: Yorkshire and the Humber
- 14 July – 15 July: North East
- 16 July – 17 July: North West
- 18 July – 28 July: West Midlands
Phil Batty, Director of Ceremonies, Culture & Queen’s Baton Relay, 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 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.”
Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin DBE said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay symbolises hope, solidarity and collaboration across the Commonwealth at a time when it is needed most. It continues to inspire people wherever it goes and creates huge excitement for Birmingham 2022 as it journeys towards the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on July 28.”
Throughout May, the Queen’s Baton Relay continues its journey through the Caribbean and the Americas, with visits to St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda and Canada, amongst others.
The Queen’s Baton
The Queen’s Baton for Birmingham 2022 was created in a West Midlands collaboration that fused art, technology and science. Made from copper, aluminium and steel, the Baton also features a platinum strand in homage to The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year. It is also equipped with cutting-edge technology; 360-degree camera, heart rate monitor, atmospheric sensors and LED lighting.
For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit www.birmingham2022.com/qbr.
The information provided on the route through England is subject to local authority approval and therefore could be subject to change.
About the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay
Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities in every corner of the Commonwealth ahead of Birmingham 2022.
The Baton has already begun its epic journey across the Commonwealth, where it will have visited Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, and the Americas, it will return to England in July 2022 for the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games.
The Queen’s Baton will travel around England for 25 days, before the Relay officially ends at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on 28 July 2022. The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities from across Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.
This collective journey will ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration for the next generation, with these stories leaving us all inspired to take on the challenges that matter most to us.
About the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held from 28 July until 8 August 2022, will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to put the city, the region, and its people on the global stage.
The Games is already proving to be a catalyst for transformation across the West Midlands, attracting new investment and funding, creating jobs and apprenticeships for local people and new opportunities for local businesses, as well as accelerating projects that will ensure the region is ready to host a fantastic sports and cultural celebration.
Birmingham 2022 will be the Games for everyone, bringing people together from across Birmingham and the region, to provide a warm welcome to millions of visitors during the summer of 2022.