Solihull to host day of celebration for the Queen’s Baton Relay
The Queen’s Baton Relay will visit nearly every corner of Solihull Borough as it nears the end of a 294-day journey that has taken it to all 72 Commonwealth nations. The Solihull leg of the relay will take place on Tuesday 26 July, just two days before the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games begin.
Portions of the route will see the baton carried by walkers, runners and cyclists, while other sections to be completed by a vehicle. Commencing in Castle Bromwich, the route takes place through the borough and finishes at the Golden Jubilee Gardens near Solihull Town Centre with a concluding celebration.
All of this is taking place with many exciting community events suitable for all the family, happening on the day throughout the borough so all can join in with the excitement.
A guideline for locations and times of the baton route* and celebratory events is as follows:
8:00-8:20am – Castle Bromwich Hotel – start of the Queen’s Baton Relay, a civic welcoming reception will commence the celebrations before the relay departs into the community. Unfortunately, due to space considerations at the venue, attendance at this event is by invitation only.
8:45am – Babbs Mill Park Entrance – The baton will be passing through, this will be accompanied by sporting activities for all ages and refreshments from 8:30am until 12:00
10:00am-12:00 – North Solihull Sports Centre – the baton bearer will be doing a relay on the outdoor running track and will use this as an exchange point for baton bearers. This will be accompanied by several activities including: an outdoor aerobics class in the car park, athletics in the Sports Hall, free swimming and gym inductions all morning for local residents and a raffle with prizes to be won. The Baton will be on site from 9:50-10:20
10:30am – Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre – The baton will be passing through on foot, accompanied by a range of family fun held from 10:00am until 15:00 with sports activities like table tennis and basketball and competitions
10:00am-11:30am – Marston Green Garden of Remembrance – a community Commonwealth outdoor breakfast will be held, food will be provided by a local caterers and entertainment will be provided on the Green. The baton will be passing by at around 11:00am
13:00-13:50 – Hampton in Arden Tennis Club –The baton will be on display for spectators. A baton party will be hosted as the baton arrives; There will be a live screen showing Commonwealth Games footage and other content. This will be accompanied by all day free entertainment from 10:00-18:00. Commonwealth sports sessions will be run by sections of the club for the community and surrounding areas to participate in. These will include coaching, skills challenges, sports activities, demonstrations of sports, all with facilities to play and take part. There will also be a display of the history of sport in the area and an exhibition of Commonwealth sport related work from local schools, and local food companies will be invited to cater for all attendees. The baton will be leaving the site at 14:05
11:00am-16:00 – Meriden Sports Park – An outdoor cycling themed event will commence, this will include a military presence, activities and a historic bikes display. The baton will be passing through the area at 14.20
14:40 – Berkswell Village Green – The baton will be passing through at this time and will be accompanied by activities on the Village Green and refreshments to be provided by the coffee shop from 13:00-15:00
14:50 – Lavender Hall Park – The baton will be passing through at this time. In partnership with Hornets Football Club sporting activities will take place in the park, this will be accompanied with cultural activities and refreshments from 14:00-16:00
Anthem Anthem Revolution will also be in the Park from 10.00am until 16:00, where participants battle a table tennis robot to hear a new national song as written by children, an anthem that reflects their hopes and dreams for the country.
Community celebration – Knowle – 15:00 and 16:15 Come and see the Giant Balloon Show on St Johns Close. The Baton Passes through Knowle at 15:50
15:30 to 17:30 Picnic on the Green– Cheswick Green – The baton will be passing through at 16:50 with community activities to occur on the Village Green
17:00 – Dickens Heath Village Green – The baton will be passing through at this time. From 14.30-17:00 a range of activities, events and competitions in the Village Hall and on the Village Green will occur, with refreshments and a family picnic
16:00 – Hope Coppice, Dickens Heath – Celebration event including giveaway of tiny trees (on a first served basis) and entertainment by stilt walking tree performers. Baton will be through at 17:20
17:40 – Shirley Park – The baton will be passing through entering from Hurdis Road. From 14:00-18:00 a multitude of activities to suit all will be taking place, this will include a military presence, a community picnic where residents are asked to bring your own food, FOSP will host sports day type games, a touch rugby tournament and radio controlled Formula 1 cars
17:00 – 18:15 – Solihull Town Centre- Performances and parade, including the The Band of the Grenadier Guards. The baton will be entering the High Street around 18:30
*All baton timings are estimates
Whilst the best streets to watch the relay are as follows:
- Castle Bromwich – Chester Road
- Chelmsley Wood Town Cente – Chelmsley Road
- Marston Green – Station Road
- Hampton in Arden – Tennis Club
- Meriden – Main Road
- Berkswell – Lavender Hall Lane
- Balsall Common – Station Road
- Knowle – High Street
- Dorridge – Station Road
- Hockley Heath – School Road
- Dickens Heath – Main Street
- Cheswick Green – Cheswick Way
- Shirley – Shirley Park
- Solihull – Warwick Road, High Street & the Jubilee Gardens
Full details of the route around Solihull, including the community events, a map and a list of places you can see the Queen’s Baton Relay can be found here.
Full details of roads affected and approximate timings of temporary road closures can be found here.
Frequently asked questions, including the full route and timings of the torch relay through each area can be found here.
