Iconic Queen's Baton Relay tours Codsall

Crowds of all ages lined the streets of a South Staffordshire village as the iconic Queen's Baton Relay passed through on its latest venture.

The Baton's journey through Codsall culminated in a visit to South Staffordshire Council's award-winning Community Hub, after travelling through nearby streets and attending a sports festival at Codsall Middle School.

The landmark Commonwealth Games event coincided with the official opening of the council's new headquarters, the unveiling of a memorial sculpture in honour of the authority's late leader Councillor Brian Edwards, plus an awards ceremony in his honour.

Batonbearer Ben Mason heads to Codsall Community Hub

Among the batonbearers on the day was Nicola Taylor, who has raised more than £4,000 for charity through a series of activities since 2016.

Bringing the baton into the Community Hub was Ben Mason, who is renowned for coaching young people in sports, with more than 100 hours of volunteering completed this year alone.

L-R - South Staffordshire Council Leader Cllr Roger Lees, South Staffordshire Council Chairman Cllr Matt Ewart, Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson, batonbearer Ben Mason, Gavin Williamson MP, and Chief Executive of South Staffordshire Council Dave Heywood

Councillor Len Bates BEM, Cabinet Member for Community Services at South Staffordshire Council, said: “It has been a huge privilege to play host to such an iconic event and we were delighted to be able to celebrate such a momentous occasion with our residents."

Batonbearer Nicola, Business Development Team Manager and long-standing member of staff at South Staffordshire Council, was nominated for the honour by the council – an honour granted to all West Midlands authorities in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.

 Batonbearer Nicola Taylor

“It was a huge privilege to be nominated for the honour of carrying the baton through part of Codsall," said Nicola.

“I was delighted to see so many of our local residents had turned out for what was a truly wonderful event which will remain in my memory for many years to come."

The Queen's Baton Relay in Wolverhampton Road, Codsall 

Specially crafted in the West Midlands, the baton has travelled throughout The Commonwealth over a 294-day journey. Its design is said to 'fuse science, technology, engineering and art'. 

The Queen's Baton Relay is a relay around the world held prior to The Commonwealth Games. It carries a message from The Queen, The Head of the Commonwealth, with the baton being entrusted by Her Majesty to the batonbearers. At the Opening Ceremony of the Games, the final relay runner hands the baton back to The Queen or her representative, who reads the message aloud to officially open The Games.