The Queen’s Baton Relay is coming to Kent!

 

 

Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. In England, the Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport nears ever closer.

The Baton will travel across Kent on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th July 2022

A busy schedule of activities and events are planned for the Queen’s Baton Relay, with opportunities to highlight untold stories from Batonbearers who are striving for change in their community.

During its time in Kent, the Queen’s Baton Relay will travel across the county from Tonbridge to Dover and will experience a slice of Kent’s fascinating heritage at Tonbridge Castle, take the pilgrimage to Canterbury, skate through Folkestone, celebrate at the iconic Dover Castle and commemorate this momentous occasion with a moment of reflection in Gravesham.

The schedule of activity for the Baton’s time in Kent includes:

Thursday 7th July
• The Queen’s Baton Relay arrives in Kent in Tonbridge, where the Baton will travel along the decorated High Street to Tonbridge Castle where local school children will join the Batonbearer to mark the occasion.
• The Baton will then go on to tour the historic city of Canterbury with celebrations culminating at the iconic Canterbury Cathedral, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Moving onto Folkestone, the Queen’s Baton Relay will visit F51, the world’s first multi-storey skate park, with the baton being transported around the impressive suspended concrete bowls. It will then be taken to Folkestone Harbour Arm where the community celebrations will continue.
• Finally, after arriving at Deal Pier and relaying along the promenade to Walmer, the Baton will visit the famous White Cliffs of Dover, with the day’s festivities concluding with a party for over 2,000 people at Dover Castle.

Friday 8th July
• In the morning, the Baton will travel to Gravesham for a multifaith moment of contemplation outside the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara before being handed over to the Eastern region by crossing the Thames from the town pier.