First Minister Greets Queen’s Baton Relay arrival in Wales

First Minister Carwyn Jones will greet the arrival of the Queen’s Baton in Wales on Tuesday September 5th, Day 1 of its Relay throughout the country.

The Queen’s Baton, the familiar prelude to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games enters Wales by boat into the Mumbles, Swansea at 7.30 on Tuesday morning, before being carried by a variety of Batonbearers via the National Waterfront Museum to Bridgend, where it will be welcomed by the First Minister at the offices of CGI, one of the largest ICT employers in Wales, and partner to Team Wales.

The First Minister said: “I’m excited to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Wales on its journey to more than a third of the world’s population. The Queen’s Baton was actually born in Wales, as the prelude to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff in 1958, and it continues to be a symbol of peace and harmony through participation in sport. A number of Welsh legends will be carrying the Baton this week as it takes further steps towards the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony next April, where we’ll all be wishing the very best for Team Wales.”

The Baton will journey from Bridgend to Barry Island and be brought in by boat to Cardiff Bay where Day 1 will conclude with an evening event at Butetown Community Centre. Amongst the 130+ Batonbearers touring Wales throughout the week will be past and present sporting greats, community ambassadors and Welsh celebrities, selected for their community contribution and achievement in the world of sport, education, arts & culture.Day 1 features the likes of rugby legend Ryan Jones, Swansea City’s Leon Britton, Casualty star Suzanne Jackson, Paralympic shot putter Julie Hamzah, and Olympic Gold medallist Hannah Mills MBE.

Commonwealth Games Wales Chair, Helen Phillips said: “The arrival of the Queen’s Baton in Wales brings the excitement and anticipation for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games to our communities, giving the people of Wales the chance to engage with this global symbol, and start focusing on the fortunes of Team Wales next year.”

The Queen’s Baton Relay started at Buckingham Palace on 13 March this year, and will be travelling through Wales between 5-8 September.

The Baton will then work its way to Australia via Asia and Oceania in time for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony on 4 April.