Queen’s Baton visits Lisburn

The Queen’s Baton relay reached Lisburn last Friday when it stopped off at the Lisburn Racquets Club as it makes its way across the Commonwealth, ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.
By Stacey Heaney
Published 27th May 2014, 11:42 BST
Trevor Woods, Lisburn Racquets Club, and Robert McVeigh, chairman of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Committee, pictured with the Queen's Baton as it arrives in Lisburn. US1422-503cd Picture: Cliff DonaldsonTrevor Woods, Lisburn Racquets Club, and Robert McVeigh, chairman of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Committee, pictured with the Queen's Baton as it arrives in Lisburn. US1422-503cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Trevor Woods, Lisburn Racquets Club, and Robert McVeigh, chairman of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Committee, pictured with the Queen's Baton as it arrives in Lisburn. US1422-503cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Athletes from six sports, badminton, squash, table tennis, judo, wrestling and netball were at the club to welcome the Baton.

In a true celebration of Commonwealth sport, the club displayed the best of its members, with hopes high that six athletes from the club will be selected for the Games.

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The Queen’s Baton arrived in Northern Ireland on Tuesday for a four-day tour, and it stopped off in the city on the final day of the NI leg of the relay.

Trevor Woods, Lisburn Racquets Club, and Robert McVeigh, chairman of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Committee, pictured with the Queen's Baton as it arrives in Lisburn. US1422-503cd Picture: Cliff DonaldsonTrevor Woods, Lisburn Racquets Club, and Robert McVeigh, chairman of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Committee, pictured with the Queen's Baton as it arrives in Lisburn. US1422-503cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Trevor Woods, Lisburn Racquets Club, and Robert McVeigh, chairman of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Committee, pictured with the Queen's Baton as it arrives in Lisburn. US1422-503cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

The Baton relay is a long-standing part of the build up to the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 3, having been the curtain-raiser to the Games since 1958.

Welcoming the Baton to Lisburn, Mayor Councillor Margaret Tolerton, said: “The Council is delighted that Lisburn has been chosen as one of the stops for the Queen’s Baton as part of its 190,000 kilometre relay journey to mark the start of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“This local facility was selected as an official venue for the badminton and volleyball events at the World Police and Fire Games last year; and it is excellent that it will play a role in marking the Commonwealth Games this year. On behalf of the Council I wish all the baton holders every success as they carry this unique silver and wood baton on the reminder of its journey through Great Britain,” she concluded.

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The Baton contains a message from the Queen calling athletes to competition in Glasgow and will be read out at the Opening Ceremony on July 23.

The Baton was specially-designed for Glasgow 2014, with the titanium, wood and granite creation symbolising Glasgow and Scotland’s culture, history and innovation by combining leading-edge technology with traditional skills and craft.

Following its time in Northern Ireland the Baton will then travel to Wales and England - culminating in a 40-day tour of Scotland.

• See more on the Baton online and in the Star next week.

Related topics:GlasgowLisburn