PORTLAND prepares to welcome the much-anticipated Queen’s Baton Relay during its final journey through England this summer.

The 16th edition of the Queen’s Baton Relay, which takes place prior to each Commonwealth Games, will see the Relay visit 180 cities, towns and villages, covering every region of England across 25 days.

On Monday, July 4, Portland will officially welcome the Baton. It is set to leave Lerret Road (just off Victoria square) at 2:40pm. It will then turn into Mulberry Avenue, where the baton will travel up the Coast Path all the way to Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) via the boat yard.

The baton is expected to arrive at the WPNSA by 3pm where it will continue the relay on various vessels in the bay before coming back into the Sailing Academy and is expected to be on its way to Bournemouth around 3:30-4pm at the latest.

Spectators are encouraged to line Lerret Road and Mulberry Avenue as there will be several Baton Bearers positioned along the route. People are then welcome to follow the Baton to the Sailing Academy.

Those travelling by car should use nearby off-street parking and note that restrictions will be in effect along the route and at Hamm Beach Road.

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay began at Buckingham Palace last October, when The Queen placed Her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton and passed it to four-time Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox, who had the honour of being the first of thousands of Batonbearers to carry the Baton as it travelled around the world.

These Batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the Baton during the journey through England, including those nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture, or charity. Between 40 and 130 Batonbearers will carry the Baton each day, and the Relay will reach hundreds of villages, towns, and cities during its tour of the country.

It was previously reported that the Queen’s Baton Relay would be visiting both Portland and Weymouth next month, however, the relay will not be going through Weymouth and a spokesman for Birmingham 2022 has apologised for the error and confusion.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services said: “Dorset Council is delighted that Portland will welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay in July. The local community will have the amazing opportunity to experience the buzz of the Queen’s Baton Relay and the excitement for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. We’re proud to host this part of the relay and I look forward to seeing people come along to watch and cheer the Batonbearers as they take the Queen’s Baton to the Sailing Academy.”

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.”

For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit www.birmingham2022.com/qbr.