“It is a special honour for Northwich to be one of the few towns chosen to host the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR).“
The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Northwich during its final journey through England this summer.
The 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games this summer.
On Sunday 17 July, Northwich is one of the few selected areas in the North West to officially welcome the baton during its brief visit to the region.
Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “It is a special honour for Northwich to be one of the few towns chosen to host the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR).
“We welcome the batonbearers who will have the honour of taking it on its journey through the town. They each have inspiring backgrounds and stories and are nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community.
“Our 4.5 km baton route passes many well-known locations in Northwich and is close to many housing areas where people will be able to cheer the batonbearers carrying the baton on its final days before heading to Birmingham for the Games.”
Offering a magnificent and historic welcome to the baton as it arrives in our town will be Cheshire’s Cathedral of Canals, Anderton Boat Lift.
The baton starts its journey by taking a route through its grounds and visitor centre before being passed to a new batonbearer in a boat at the top of the lift and travelling down 50 feet through the lift to emerge onto the River Weaver Navigation below.
It will travel by boat along the River Weaver to Winnington Swing Bridge before disembarking onto the A533 Winnington Lane, heading down Winnington Bank and crossing the river at Town Bridge.
It then follows the gyratory to Brockhurst Street and the southern entrance to Brio Leisure’s Northwich Memorial Court, before exiting onto Chester Way and heading up Meadow Street and left onto Witton Street
From here the baton travels along the pedestrianised area and then right towards Barons Square at Asda. Finally, it will head to the river park and Barons Quay Road where it completes the Northwich leg of its journey.
Daniel Greenhalgh, Canal & River Trust North West director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Anderton Boat Lift. As the world’s first boat lift and a scheduled monument, it promises to create opportunity for some fabulous images marking its progress through Cheshire. Visitors to the boat lift that day will be able to enjoy a range of wellbeing and waterway activities which chime perfectly with the wider ambitions of the Commonwealth Games.”
Brio Leisure’s Managing Director, Elly McFahn, said: “We are thrilled to be part of such a memorable event and to see the baton be carried through the town’s central leisure site, as part of its journey, is very fitting with Brio’s vision and purpose for leisure health and well-being.”
Mike Watson, CEO of Active Cheshire, said: “Following my involvement as a member of the QBR Regional Planning Board and a batonbearer selection panelist, Active Cheshire’s focus now switches to delivering a lasting legacy across Cheshire West and Chester from the QBR route heading through Northwich. We are excited that we’ll shortly be announcing our legacy plans, from which we hope to inspire over 2,000 new participants to take up physical activity for the very first time. We can’t wait to work with the local community to capitalise on this fantastic opportunity.”
Residents and sports groups are encouraged to take part in activities animating the route of the baton and these events will be managed by the Council, Canal & River Trust and Active Cheshire. Further details on how to take part will follow nearer to the time.
The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay began at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021 and has since visited Commonwealth nations and territories in Europe, Africa, Oceania.
On 2 June, the baton will spend four days in London, for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend, before resuming its international journey and returning to England on 4 July to commence a 25-day tour of the regions, culminating at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on 28 July 2022.
Phil Batty, Director of Ceremonies, Culture & Queen’s Baton Relay, said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is far more than just a journey. It symbolises connecting people from every corner of the Commonwealth and celebrates batonbearers who take on challenges. By the time the Baton returns to England for the final leg, 71 nations and territories will have already experienced the magic that comes with it. We hope communities across the country join the excitement, attend events near them, line the streets to cheer on our incredible batonbearers and celebrate the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
