Scores of people lined the streets as The Queen’s Baton Relay arrived in Knowsley.
The Queen’s Baton Relay returned to the UK in the final countdown to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It's arrival in Knowsley today (July 17) was marked with a festival of of sports, dance and music.
The Baton was met at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park where the Batonbearers were welcomed by a troupe of more than 100 girl guides from across Merseyside who formed a guard of honour as they made their way into the park. Then local running group, Running Bugs guided the Baton and Batonbearer to the Velodrome for a live bootcamp training session.
READ MORE: Excitement building ahead of Commonwealth Games baton relay
At the Velodrome the Baton was passed to cyclists from Runcorn Cycling Club and Liverpool Century Cycling Club who took it on a lap of the Velodrome before the Knowsley BMX Club performed a demonstration. The Baton the travelled to Knowsley Safari in convoy through the park.
From the Safari, the Batonbearers headed to Prescot, to the newly opened Shakespeare North Playhouse. The day concluded with a world-first performance of ‘A Song for Prescot’ by pupils from Evelyn Community Primary School.
The song has been created exclusively for the event by Leo and Hyde, a musical theatre writing duo and theatre company who combine electronic sound-worlds and pop songs with contemporary stories.
The bells of Prescot Parish Church rang out as the Batonbearers departed. The Liverpool leg of the event will kick off from 8am tomorrow, with former Olympic gymnast, Commonwealth title holder and three-times World Champion Beth Tweddle.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council said: “This is a momentous occasion for Knowsley and one we should all feel very proud to be part of. I hope to see our communities take the opportunity see the baton on its tour and enjoy the fantastic evening of events and entertainment we have planned to welcome The Queen’s Baton into our borough.
“What makes this event more special is that if helps kick start our weeklong celebration of sport across sport, when on Monday 18 July our Knowsley Sporting Legends Relay begins.”
The 22nd Commonwealth Games in Birmingham begins later this month and will continue into August.
READ NEXT
Stark reality of Knowsley's health inequalities revealed
Social housing changes 'won't reduce waiting lists'
Woods could be converted into burial plots under £2.6m plans
Troubled children's home to reopen after closing for 'four weeks' 10 months ago
Council sends urgent update to homes waiting on £150 payment
