Queen's Commonwealth Games Baton Relay heading to Cardiff

Sixteen specially-chosen baton bearers from Cardiff will take part in the 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay when it arrives in the city on September 5.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II set the Gold Coast 2018 Queen's Baton Relay in motion in March and it will come to Butetown, Cardiff, on Tuesday, September 5, as part of its 388-day journey through the Commonwealth.

The baton will cover 230,000 kilometres en route to its final destination - the opening ceremony of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games - on April 4, 2018.

Butetown has been specifically chosen for its historical position as one of the UK's oldest multicultural communities and the relay will be a celebration of the talents and achievements of its diverse population.

The route through Butetown is around 4km and the 16 baton bearers - Local Legends, schoolchildren, politicians and sporting heroes - will carry the baton along the way.

The baton is due to arrive in Cardiff at around 3.45pm on September 5, when the Princess Katharine water taxi brings it from the barrage across the Bay to Mermaid Quay.

It will be greeted by The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Bob Derbyshire who will then walk the baton across to the Senedd where the relay will begin.

The Baton Bearers will walk the baton past the Old Docks into Butetown and along the way, it will stop at Mount Stuart Primary School, Butetown Mosque, Cardiff and Vale College and the Greek Church before reaching Butetown Community Centre at 5pm, for an evening of sporting activities and performances including music.

The relay will also go into Canal Park where it will take on a carnival atmosphere with dancers, music and floats from the previous week's carnival. And the relay will be greeted by flags from many nations, decorating Christina Street and Loudoun Square.

All members of the wider Cardiff community are invited attend to celebrate the cultural diversity of Butetown.

Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Bob Derbyshire, said: "It is a real privilege and an honour for the Lady Mayoress and I to be welcoming the baton to the city and to be Baton Bearers for part of the route.

"It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the talents and achievements of Butetown's diverse population."

Cllr Peter Bradbury, Cabinet member for Culture and Leisure at Cardiff Council, said: "I am delighted the Queen's Baton Relay will be coming to Cardiff and Butetown in September on its journey to the opening ceremony of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"It will be a marvellous occasion and I would encourage everybody to come and enjoy this great celebration of the cultural diversity of Butetown."

Chris Jenkins, Commonwealth Games Wales Chief Executive, said: "Team Wales brings together all those competing or supporting our athletes to perform to their absolute best at the Commonwealth Games.

"This inclusive relay will give everyone that can't make it to the Gold Coast a chance to be involved in an unforgettable experience.

"As the Baton travels through Wales, our aim is to celebrate our rich and diverse heritage, culture, language and landscape on an International stage."

The British Empire and Commonwealth Games held in Cardiff in 1958 were the first to stage the Queen's Baton Relay.

The relay signifies a visual celebration of the unity and diversity of all the Commonwealth nations and carries a message from the Queen to Games athletes, which is read out at the opening ceremony.