The city of Dundee is tomorrow, Friday 27 June, set to welcome the Queen’s Baton as it travels through the area, with a range of extraordinary batonbearers taking part in day 262 of the baton’s journey through 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
Venturing throughout the city of Dundee, the Queen’s Baton will begin its day by arriving into Brought Ferry by powerboat, in the hands of The Beano’s iconic character, Dennis the Menace.
From there the Queen’s Baton will venture onwards to the 600 year old historic settings of Broughty Ferry Castle. It will pass the 190 year old ship Frigate Unicorn and not long after, the RSS Discovery, the last traditional wooden-masted ship to be built in Britain. Amongst other highlights of the day, the relay will call in at Dundee Science Centre, Magdalen Green and Lochee Park.
Visits to the Factory Skate Park, the MacManus Gallery and the New Olympia Sea Centre precede Dundee’s evening celebrations, which will see the baton arrive back into the city square with a ceilidh in full swing.
The Queen’s Baton will be carried by a varied group of batonbearers, those astonishing individuals who make a difference to the lives of others. Three years ago a spinal injury rendered Elizabeth Ferris to a wheelchair full-time but she has battled through, to establish the Dundee Dragons wheelchair rugby team and represented Scotland at the Rugby League World Cup last year.
Also participating is Mike Cordiner, who gave up his career to set up the charity Eagles Wings Trust, helping those affected by homelessness and substance addictions, and Frank Jordan, an 80 year old multi-skilled coach with his name in the Guinness Book of Records. The penultimate batonbearer is Dundee’s Citizen of the Year Joyce McIntosh, who has participated in 29 marathons to raise money for charity and organizes the New Year’s Day Dook at Broughty Ferry.
Hockey dominates the Dundonian athletes, including Scottish and GB player Vikki Bunce, while Scottish internationalist Alison Bell will bring the baton on stage at the evening’s celebrations in City Square.
A unique tradition of the games, the relay offers people across the country a chance to be a part of the excitement, celebrations and countdown to Scotland’s biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival and show their support for the home team.
For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games, a pupil from every school in Scotland has been nominated to get involved in the celebrations and carry the baton, making it the world’s most engaging relay to date.
Nearing the end of its 190,000 km journey through the 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth, by the time the baton arrives at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, it will have covered 4,000 km in Scotland alone, showcasing the nation’s culture and iconic landmarks during its visit to over 400 communities across all 32 local authorities.
The relay reflects the important role of sport by visiting schools, sporting facilities and leisure centres, encouraging communities to get behind Team Scotland, get involved with the Games and using its profile to get more people participating in sport.
Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman, Michael Cavanagh, said:
“The Queen’s Baton Relay is the ultimate symbol of the Commonwealth Games and its arrival in the city of Dundee and journey through Scotland is an important signal to both the athletes and the public that the Games are just around the corner. The relay offers residents in the city of Dundee the ideal opportunity to celebrate community sport and show support for their local athletes selected to represent Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014. We hope everyone the length and breadth of the country will get behind the team and play their part in what is going to be an amazing home Games!”
David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, said:
“The Queen’s Baton Relay is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people across the city of Dundee to celebrate what’s extraordinary and unique about their community, and honour those locals who make a difference to others. The baton is visiting hundreds of villages, towns and cities across Scotland with thousands taking part in the relay, and many more attending the vast programme of sports and cultural events along the route. It’s a great reason for the city of Dundee to get out and celebrate the countdown to the biggest festival of sport and culture this nation has ever hosted”.
Lord Provost of Dundee, Bob Duncan said:
“I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to wish the baton well on its journey through our communities in Dundee. A lot of work has gone into the route and the celebrations by Dundee City Council, the organisers of the Queen’s Baton Relay and our many partners from local groups, communities and organisations. Our parks and streets will showcase a colourful celebration of the Commonwealth. People in Dundee are already thrilled by the prospect that the city is to be part of the Queen’s Baton Relay ahead of the Glasgow games and we are also excited to be a proud host venue during the games themselves in July.”