A FESTIVAL of Sport takes place in Caldecott Park next week to welcome the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay to Rugby.
The baton relay marks the build-up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and started its tour of the Commonwealth’s 72 nations and territories in October at a special event hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The relay arrives in Rugby next Thursday (July 21), just a week before the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games takes place at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium
To celebrate the relay’s arrival, Rugby Borough Council has organised a free Festival of Sport in Caldecott Park, with the baton set to arrive at the park’s bandstand shortly after 3pm before Batonbearers carry it through the town centre to Rugby School.
The festival runs from 2pm to 5pm, offering visitors the chance to sample a wide range of sports, from archery and athletics to trampolining and tennis.
In addition, the festival includes a host of free family entertainment, including inflatables and music, and a visit from Perry, the official mascot of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, shortly before the baton’s arrival.
Coun Seb Lowe, leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay celebrates the power of bringing people together in a spirit of collaboration, and the Festival of Sport gives our communities a wonderful opportunity to come together in Caldecott Park and welcome the baton to Rugby.
“We’re delighted to have been chosen to host the relay during the final stages of its journey through the Commonwealth and hope residents take the opportunity to be a part of the build-up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
Coun Heather Timms, Warwickshire County Council’s spokesperson for environment, climate and culture, said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is a fantastic spectacle and a wonderful way to bring people together in the name of sport and community.
“As we enter the final countdown to the Queen’s Baton arriving in our county, excitement is building and I look forward to seeing our residents coming out to line the streets and show their support for our community batonbearers – inspirational Warwickshire people who make a real difference in the county.
“We are very fortunate that we can welcome the baton into every district and borough of Warwickshire. It will be wonderful to see it pass through our streets and we hope as many people as possible will come along and be part of the celebrations.”
A rolling road closure is set to be in place in North Street from around 3.15pm to 4.15pm as the baton relay passes through the town centre on its way to Rugby School.
Visit www.birmingham2022.com/qbr for more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay.
