Queen's Baton Relay to visit heritage railway

The Severn Valley Railway will be hosting a section of the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay in the final build-up to the Commonwealth Games this summer. The journey brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. The Queen's Baton Relay is to travel along the heritage line, hauled very appropriately by No. 70 Elizabeth II, the steam locomotive recently painted purple and silver to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Baton will arrive at Kidderminster Town station on Saturday July 23, where it will be greeted by members of the community and a ‘guard of honour’ made up of SVR volunteers. It will then commence its journey along the full length of the line to Bridgnorth.

Seats on the special service will be allocated to members of the public and SVR volunteers in a ballot and will be free of charge. Viewing spaces at both Kidderminster and Bridgnorth stations will also be allocated by ballot in order to control numbers.

Pre-register to receive further details about the ballots here: www.svr.co.uk/QueensBatonRelay

Helen Smith, the SVR’s Managing Director, said, “We are delighted that the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the Severn Valley Railway on July 23, as part of its incredible journey through England this summer. We are looking forward to celebrating the arrival of the Baton and everyone here is excited to give it a warm welcome.”

After the Baton is welcomed by volunteers at Bridgnorth, it will leave the railway and begin a series of appearances in the town, which will include Severn Park and the Cliff Railway. Throughout the day, the Baton will be carried by a number of Batonbearers, chosen by the Queen’s Baton Relay organisers.

“We are delighted that The Queen’s Baton Relay organisers have chosen the SVR for this very high profile visit in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games", said Helen Smith, Managing Director of the SVR. "By the time it comes to us, The Baton will have visited 71 nations and territories around the world and will be heading for its final destination, Birmingham, for the opening ceremony of the Games."

The special service on July 23 will begin the SVR’s ‘Summer of Sport’ season, which sees six weeks of sport-themed fun and activities throughout the school holidays.

Read about the Severn Valley Railway special service ballots here

About the Queen's Baton Relay:

• In England, the Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport nears ever closer. The Queen’s Baton Relay is set to travel the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before culminating at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on July 28, 2022.
• Kicking off on Thursday 2 June, the Baton will spend four days in London, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend. The Baton will then resume the international journey and return to England on Monday July 4 to commence a 25-day tour of the regions. The England leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay, partnered with Longines, has a busy schedule of activities and events planned, with opportunities to highlight untold stories from Batonbearers who are striving for change in their community.
• Thousands of 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.
• Throughout May, the Queen’s Baton Relay continues its journey through the Caribbean and the Americas, with visits to St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda and Canada, amongst others.

See other SVR events and services at: www.svr.co.uk