The Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi departed from Buckingham Palace, London, on the 29 October 2009. It has travelled through parts of England and will be in Wales before coming to Northern Ireland this Friday.
The baton will travel through all other Commonwealth nations ( 71 nations)– a historic journey that will cover a distance of more than 170,000 kilometres in 240 days. On its 100 day national tour, the baton will visit the capital of each of India’s 28 states and seven union territories, plus many other cities along the way, covering more than 20,000 kilometres. By the end of its journey, the baton will have traversed over 190,000 kilometres in 340 days, making the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi one of the longest relays in the history of the Commonwealth Games.
The baton will also have passed through thousands of hands, and travelled by different modes of transport across land, air and sea. The relay will conclude after the final Batonbearer enters the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games on 3 October 2010 where Her Majesty’s message will be removed from the baton and read aloud, officially opening the Games.
PROGRAMME FOR THE BELFAST CELEBRATIONS:
Official Baton Party arrives in Northern Ireland accompanied by Mrs Louise Martin Secretary General of Commonwealth Games Federation and leader of the team that was successful in bidding for Glasgow to hold the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Louise was recently appointed Chairman of Sport Scotland.
FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER
0915: Official launch at Killicomaine Junior High School – Portadown. Hand over takes place at school gates. Queen’s Baton Relay (Commonwealth Games) begins
0912 Police stop traffic on Upper Church Lane and Old Lurgan Road (and assist crossing Ballyhannon Road
0915 Killicomaine pupils move to Upper Church Lane and line pavement from school to Killicomaine Road
0920 Official launch of Baton at Killicomaine School Gates
0925 Bocombra PS pupils on Killicomaine Road lining pavement.
0928 Police restrict traffic on Princess Way Killicomaine Estate
0935 Baton enters Princess Way Edenderry PS pupils on pavement
0950 Gilford Road traffic restrictions
0955 Portadown Independent School on Gilford Road
1000 Bachelors Walk
1010 Seagoe Road traffic restrictions Seagoe PS pupils on footpath
1025 Kernan Road traffic restrictions Portadown Integrated Primary
1035 Move by Vehicle to Civic Centre
1030: Finish
1045: Tea in Mayors Parlour Craigavon Civic Centre.
David Beattie & Tom Hewitt Past Medallists (Shooting) photo with Master McGrath statue.
(Deputy Mayor: Dr Philip Weir) invited children from other secondary schools in Craigavon area.
1145: Leave for Dungannon
1215: Dungannon Royal School – Photo at Nicholson Statue – possible athlete attendance: Ashley Givan (Youth Team Table Tennis). Mayor Robert Mulligan also in attendance
Lunch at Parkanaur
1430: Enniskillen Town Hall – Meet with Chairman Mr Bertie Kerr . Out on boat for photo of Enniskillen Castle with Chelsey Wilson double medallist at CommonwealthYouth Games Swimming.
1600: Travel to Omagh
1730 Baton presented at Council Offices to Chairman Mr Patrick McGowan MBE
SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER
1030 Local children and athletes run from Leisure Centre to Townhall
Coleraine Borough Council. Mayor Gilkinson provides morning coffee for baton party
PM Louise Martin and Ian depart from International airport.
1230: Ballymena – Ecos centre – Mayor to attend
2/3pm
5pm N IRELAND V SERBIA Baton Presented either AT START OF MATCH OR HALF TIME (To be confirmed)
7 Baton arrives at CITY HALL
7.30 Dinner City Hall
SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER
1400: Baton representatives depart for Isle of Man