Queen's Baton Relay in Wales
The Baton spent five days visiting Wales, the final destination of the Baton’s international journey, from 29 June-3 July.
The Queen’s Baton arrived in Holyhead in Anglesey on a RNLI Lifeboat, carried by Batonbearer Marc Faloon, where school children, members of the local community and Shenkin the Goat, the Goat Major, and the Royal Welsh Band were wating to celebrate its arrival. Following a welcome reception, Batonbearers carried the Baton to Bethesda, joined by three local schools, Ysgol Llanllechid, Ysgol Dyffyn Ogwen and Ysgol Penybryn. The day ended in Portmeirion, where BBC presenter Derek Brockway took on the role of Batonbearer.
The Baton visited a school in Tywyn on the second day, so the pupils could engage with the Relay! In the afternoon, Commonwealth Lawn Bowls athlete, Anwen Butten carried the Baton in Aberystwyth, visiting two schools and the lawn bowls club. The day ended with a train ride to Capel Bangor on the Vale of Rheidol Railway.
On the third day in Wales, the Baton was taken to explore Pembrokeshire, including a visit to Castell Henllys Iron Age Village, an at-sea relay with the Sea scouts, and a row over to Goodwick Beach, Fishguard. The afternoon was spent in Carmarthenshire where brave Batonbearers skied down a local dry slope before the next Batonbearers cycled down to the beach to meet a lifeboat at Burry Port.
Rugby 7s athlete Jaz Joyce carried the Baton in Lllanelli and visited Onesta, the sustainable production company supplying the Team Wales leggings.
The fourth day saw Batonbearers visit the Hydrogen Centre in Baglan as well as the communities of Margam and Aberfan. In the afternoon Batonbearers visited Merthyr to try a variety of sport activities before a brave Batonbearer took on one of the fastest zip lines in Rhigos. The day ended with a community celebration in Clydach Vale.
The final day in Wales started with athletics at Newport Stadium before Batonbearers relayed around Cardiff’s Victoria Park and demonstrated beach volleyball skills. At Swansea Airshow, the Tigers Army Parachute Display Team parachuted into grounds with the Baton, before Batonbearers relayed around the airshow.
The final day in Wales marked the final day of the Baton’s 269-day international journey. England, let’s take it on!
