THE Queen’s baton relay arrived at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park as part of the 294-day long commonwealth tour ahead of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The baton was welcomed to Winchester this afternoon at the Winchester Leisure Centre by Winchester city councillors, local school children and members of the public.

The baton was carried to the front of the leisure centre by baton bearer Jordan Wylie, where a parade of Hat Fair performers and samba drummers from the Roynon Performing Arts club awaited along with the mayor of Winchester.

Councillor Derek Green, the mayor of Winchester said: “I’m very excited to see the baton come to Winchester, it’s a great honour to have it at our new leisure centre. It’s showcasing Winchester and what we can do for sport.”

Everyone Active, in partnership with Winchester City Council and the University of Winchester, organised a Commonwealth Games themed sports festival with over 100 children involved from seven local primary schools – All Saints, Stanmore, Weeke, Winnall, Owslebury, Harestock and St Peters. The children sampled a range of Commonwealth sports with coaches from Winchester and District Athletics Club (WADAC), Hampshire Cricket, Hampshire Squash, Peter Symonds College Rugby Team, and Everyone Active staff delivering a variety of sports sessions. 

Leader of the city council, Martin Tod said: “I have to say when you’re surrounded by loads and loads of school children from local schools who are really excited that lifts you up to be even more excited.”

“One of the great things about today is lots of the schools today have been trying a few of the sports in the commonwealth games so hopefully now they will be following the competition and have been inspired to take part.”

UK national ambassador for Army Cadets, Jordan was one of three community heroes nominated as a baton bearer for his charity efforts. He said: “What a great privilege and an honour to carry the baton and see so many little and smiley faces. It has been an amazing experience, being given the opportunity to inspire the next generation of children.”

The baton was then exchanged to Norrie Bisset and Barry Wiles for a lap round the athletics track along with a group of year five children from Weeke primary school.

The second baton bearer Norrie Bisset said: “It is fantastic to share these festivities with all the children today.”

Parents of the Weeke primary school children along with members of the public were welcomed to picnic by the University of Winchester sports stadium from 1pm. The school parents were impressed with the sporting opportunities available to their children on the day hope they’ll feel inspired to try new things.

Helen Thomas, Sports Facilities Development Manager at the University of Winchester said: “It has been a pleasure to help organise and hold this great community event at The University of Winchester Sports Stadium. Hosting the Commonwealth Games Queens Baton Relay was a huge honour and showcased the fantastic sports facilities that Winchester has to offer. Providing local school children with the opportunity to try some of the Commonwealth Games sports would hopefully have inspired them to potentially be the next generation of sports stars.

“We look forward to working with Everyone Active and Winchester City Council for more community events, and in the meantime The Winchester Sports Stadium remains a community facility and open to all.”

The baton’s next destination was Hambledon Cricket park, with the Wednesday, July 6 South Eastern journey ending in the Isle of Wight at approximately 7.40pm.

You can follow the baton at birmingham2022.com/queens-baton-relay/route/england.

The relay returned to England on Monday, July 4 ready for the 25-day regional tour, the last of 72 nations and commonwealth territories taking part.

The baton was designed by designers and technologists from the West Midland, combing art, science, engineering and technology into the modern design. The baton itself includes a message from the Queen in a special compartment, to be read out at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth games opening ceremony, on July 28 where the relay will come to a close.

The 16th Queen’s baton relay proceeds 11 days of commonwealth sporting competition, finishing on August 8.

To find out more, go to birmingham2022.com/.