Published: Tuesday, 5th July 2022
This month we will welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Cannock Chase.
It will come to the District on Saturday 23 July, when it passes through Rugeley, Hednesford and Cannock. The baton will end its 294-day journey in Birmingham on 28 July, the day of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
There will be 13 Batonbearers who will carry the Baton through planned routes in Rugeley, Hednesford and Cannock. Three of the Batonbearers are local people: Shaun Middleton from Hednesford, Lisa Wilson from Cannock and Craig Corrigan from Rugeley.
The Baton relay will commence at Wolseley Road in Rugeley at approximately 3.25pm, the baton will then make its way to Hednesford for 4.00pm, and lastly will arrive in Cannock at 4.50pm. However, these times are subject to change.
To enable the Baton relay to run safely, there will be some temporary road closures in Rugeley, Hednesford and Cannock. For more details on road closures please visit: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/queensbatonrelay
Celebrations across the District won’t be restricted to those times, to build up to the excitement, Cannock Chase Radio will be broadcasting live from each town.
Rugeley Town Council is hosting an event in the town centre between 2pm and 4pm when there will be a variety of activities and entertainment throughout the afternoon including the official opening of the Mindfulness Garden in Brook Square in the town centre.
While Hednesford Town Council and Hednesford in Partnership, with the support of Cannock Chase Council, will have a variety of activities and entertainment in the town and at Hednesford park, between 2pm and 5pm. Children and families can have a go at cycling with the staff from Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles and British Cycling as well as a competition for the best dressed bike! Spectators are being encouraged to decorate their bikes at homes and bring them along on the day.
Take part in a ‘Create for the Commonwealth Workshop’ - Pop down to Hednesford Park on 23 July, between 11am - 2pm and take part in a FREE creative workshop to ‘weave a wheel’ to display on the route.
Our local Armed Forces community will also be there to salute the Baton as it arrives.
In Cannock town centre, Cannock Chase Radio will be broadcasting live from the bandstand between 2pm and 5pm. Local emergency services, community organisations, individuals and voluntary groups will come together to welcome the baton into the town centre.
Residents are invited to come along and join in with the celebrations in the town centres or anywhere along the route, to cheer the Batonbearers along, in this once in a lifetime event.
If you have any questions about the Queen’s Baton Relay, temporary road closures or any other arrangements for Saturday 23 July, the Council is holding a drop-in session at Chase Leisure Centre, Stafford Road, Cannock, on Monday 18 July between 6pm and 8pm.
Councillor Adrienne Fitzgerald, Portfolio Leader for Housing, Heritage and Leisure said: “We are extremely honoured that the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will come through our District as part of its journey. I hope that residents will line the route and give all our Batonbearers a very warm welcome.
“This is a once in a lifetime event for Cannock Chase, there are lots of ways that residents can get involved and enjoy the excitement and come together as a community.”
We need volunteers to help with this event on the day. If you want to be a part of local history and support this prestigious event, please email paulatkins@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
For more information on the Commonwealth Games Mountain Biking event taking place at Cannock Chase Forest (Birches Valley) on 3 August visit: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/commonwealthgames
The Council has been working closely with Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles and the local Cultural Education Partnership to develop a local ‘Chase Community Games’ programme which will incorporate activities, events and legacy opportunities to celebrate the Games. For more information please visit www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/chasegames