The Queen’s Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games (Birmingham 2022) will arrive in the city on Sunday 10 July. This is 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 which commence on Thursday 28 July.
To celebrate the baton visiting Nottingham, there will be an event at Nottingham Castle with music, entertainment, and the baton itself being handed over. The Sheriff of Nottingham will be in attendance. The Castle will open at 12 noon until 6pm.
There are 3,000 tickets available. The Castle will be closed to usual visitors all day, but this free event is open to anybody living in the city, will be by ticket only, and limited to six per household. Council Tax details (account number) and postcode must be added and will be verified to make the booking.
Tickets will allow people access to the site from 12 noon until 6pm and will include access to the newly transformed Ducal Palace as well as to the baton relay activities. Because the baton will be passing through the caves, there will be no tours that day, Robin Hood Adventures will also be closed.
Tickets can be booked from today at: https://visit-nottinghamshire.gigantic.com/nottingham-castle-queen-s-baton-relay-event-tickets/nottingham-nottingham-castle/2022-07-10-12-00
Queen’s Baton Relay and community celebration entertainment schedule:
- 14:15 – Contrast Steel Band
- 15:00 – Adam Buss (host) on stage to introduce Sheriff of Nottingham (Speech)
- 15:15 – Baton arrival music begins
- 15:17 – Baton arrival through entrance / on to bandstand / around the grounds etc.
- 15:45 – Concrete Rose Band
- 16:45 – Contrast Steel Band (2nd set)
- 17:25 – Live music ends
Demand is expected to be high and while city residents have priority, any unclaimed tickets will be offered on general release, with a small number of walk-ups possible on the day if tickets are not redeemed.
The baton is in Nottinghamshire for a short period, so the Castle is probably the best opportunity to see it. On Sunday 10 July, Trent Bridge will officially welcome the Baton at the IT20 England v India match so those lucky enough to have a ticket for this sell-out fixture will be able to see the baton there.
The baton will then experience a boat ride where it might be glimpsed along the Nottingham and Beeston Canal travelling via kayak, before travelling through the famous network of caves to Nottingham Castle and to the event.
Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Planning at Nottingham City Council said:
“We are very happy Nottingham Castle has been chosen for this event, hosting another event which will once again place the city on the sporting map. This is also a wonderful opportunity to allow people in the city to enjoy the event and to experience the amazing transformation our Castle has undertaken. It should be a very memorable day.”
David Johns, interim CEO of Nottingham Castle, said:
“It’s an honour for Nottingham Castle to be one of the venues chosen to host the Queen’s Baton Relay. It’s a place where local people will be able to cheer the baton bearers carrying the baton onto Birmingham for the Games. We look forward to welcoming our city residents to join in the excitement by attending our Community Celebration event in the Castle’s grounds.”
Alex Flint, CEO of Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) commented:
“We are thrilled to be bringing The Queen’s Baton Relay to Nottingham. This is a huge opportunity to showcase part of Nottingham’s Sporting Quarter and to put the city firmly on the map as a lifestyle destination. We are delighted that our city-wide partners have come on board to mark the occasion with an amazing event for residents and city centre workers to enjoy.”
Robert Dixon – Interim Chief Executive of Visit Nottinghamshire said:
“We are absolutely delighted that the Queen’s Baton Relay is coming to Nottingham and hope that as many residents as possible will turn out to line the route and be part of the celebrations. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase Nottingham and Nottinghamshire as a visitor destination and highlight our vibrant history, culture and sporting heritage.”
Phil Batty, Director of Ceremonies, Culture & Queen’s Baton Relay, said:
“Whilst the Baton has been travelling across the Commonwealth, we have worked closely with Local Authorities in England to devise a route that engages with hundreds of communities, passing sport venues, historic sites, local schools and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Yet the Queen’s Baton Relay is far more than just a journey. It symbolises connecting people from every corner of the Commonwealth, celebrates Batonbearers who take on challenges, and marks the countdown the biggest sporting event in West Midlands history. And 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 that 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.”
Posted on 27 June 2022
