The Queen’s Baton spent two days in the Falkland Islands on 7-8 June. Activity started with a Relay along Stanley Public Jetty and a visit to Stanley Infant and Junior School, where the Baton was carried through the school hall, with as many students as possible having the chance to touch it.
The Relay continued with visits to Stanley Golf Course and Lawn Bowls Club, where Batonbearers carried the Baton around both sport facilities and were cheered on by supporters!
The next stop was to the Lady Liz shipwreck at Stanley Harbour. Then, Batonbearers took the Baton to visit students at Falkland Islands Community School. On the school field, the cricket team passed the Baton to the rugby team, who in turn handed it over to the football team.
Next, the Baton was taken to the 1982 Liberation Memorial, where Batonbearers paid their respects to the British Forces who served in the Falklands War. Batonbearers also visited the Falkland Islands Museum and National Trust.
Young members of the Scouting Association and Girl Guides were given the honour of carrying the Baton around Victory Green. Later that day, three Falkland War Veterans carried the Baton through Memorial Wood, which commemorates those who served and lost their lives in during the Falkland War, which ended 40 years ago.
During the Relay, Trudi Clarke, Chris Locke and Garry Tyrell, members of the islands Lawn Bowls team for Birmingham 2022, took on the role of Batonbearer.
The final stop of the day was to Government House where Nigel Philips CBE, Governor of the Falkland Islands presented official team tracksuits to athletes who are going to represent the Falkland Islands in Birmingham 2022.
On the second day of the Relay, Batonbearers escorted the Baton to Fox Bay to the Falklands Conservation area, which looks after and researches King Penguins. Batonbearers were also able to spot more local wildlife including the Dolphin Gull and the Ruddy-headed goose.
The final visit was to Mount Tumbledown, a battle site from the War.
