Queen’sBaton Relay

Four borough destinations for royal

Four locations within Newcastle-underLyme borough will receive avisit from the Queen’s Baton Relay in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games this Summer.

The four locations that the Baton will visit in the borough on July 18 are the Belong Heritage Gallery and Keele University campus, in Newcastle, and the Harecastle Tunnel and Trent and Mersey Canal in Kidsgrove as well as the Pump Track at Newchapel.

Birmingham 2022is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay –a journey which brings together and celebratescommunities across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is set to travel the length and breadth of England for atotal of 29 days, before culminating at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022on28July 2022.

TheBaton began it’s journey across the UK on June 2, spending four days in London, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend. The Baton then resumed the international journey and return to England on Monday, 18 July to commence a25-day tourof the regions.

On Monday, July 18, Newcastle-under-Lyme will officially welcome theBaton. Abusy schedule of activities and events are planned for the Queen’s Baton, with opportunities to highlight untold stories from Baton bearers who are striving for change in their community.

The Baton’s first visit will be to Keele University and, to mark the occasion, children from around ten local primary schools will visit the sports facilities on campus, where year five and six children will take part across different sporting activities in an informal multi sport competition, celebrating the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship embodied by the Games.

Mike Huss, Operations and Active Lifestyles Manager at Keele said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome so many young people to Keele University Sports Centre to help us celebrate the Commonwealth Games Queen ’ s Baton passing through Newcastle. We hope the event inspires future generations of sporting talent in the local area. ”

Moving on to Belong Heritage Gallery, the Baton route activities will include a Philip Astley Circus Celebration. Belong ’ s CEO, Martin Rix, said: “We ’ re really excited to be part of this historic occasion. It couldn ’t be more fitting that we ’ll have the opportunity to showcase Newcastle-underLyme ’ s heritage as the original home of modern circus, and residents, colleagues and local school children are all looking forward to joining in the spectacle as the Queen ’ s Baton follows its route through the Belong village and heritage gallery. ”

For the events in Kidsgrove, members of the

baton isit

Harecastle Tunnel and Trent and Mersey Canal, Canal and River Trust have organised a unique adventure for the Baton, as it is carried on a narrowboat along the canal. This will be followed by a themed programme of activities with local schools and members of the community.

The final visit for the Baton will be to NewchapelPump Track, where local schoolchildren and members of the local community will take part in cycling and sports events.

Thousands of Batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the Baton during the journey through England, including those nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture or charity.

Between 40 and 130 Batonbearers will carry the Baton each day, and the Relay will reach hundreds of villages, towns and citiesduring its tour of the country.

One of the confirmed community Batonbearers in Staffordshire is Tracy Paine, a co-founder of Belong villages, who was nominated for her contribution in transforming care settings for people with dementia.

For further information about the Queen’s Baton Relay go online to: www.birmingham2022.com/qu eens-baton-relay.

She told the Newcastle Life Magazine: “Back in January 2022 an article popped up on my work email asking for people from Newcastle to be nominated to be Commonwealth Games Baton Carriers. “I thought it wouldbeagreat opportunity and Igot my daughter Rebecca Powell to nominate me. “I have spent 25 years plus volunteering with Girlguiding, running aRainbow and Brownie Pack in Newcastle. “Also Ihave been helping run youth groups at St Giles Church for over 25 years.”

Gill continued: “I never thought Iwould be selected. I was really surprised, as there was alot of competition and after some form filling and an acceptance email Ihave been informed Iwill be carrying the baton on Monday, July 18, when the baton route that day will be starting from Keele University then heading into Newcastle through Stoke and then ending up in Kidsgrove -asyet I don’t know the exact part of the route that Ihave been allocated.”

Gill added: “I am really excited now as my Baton Bearers Uniform has arrived and Iamjust waiting for finalisation of the details eg timings and location. “I am so excited and am really looking forward to the day, Iamverynervous but what an opportunity and honour and aprivilege it will be. “If any of the readers are free on July 18, Iwould love your support along the route.”

Batonbearer Gill

One of the batonbear ers for the Newcastle -under-Lyme route of the relay is set to be Gill Powell, who lives in Clayton.