Councillors and athletes from the Island Games squad, gathered in Ryde on Wednesday evening to greet the Queen’s Baton on its tour around the country before it arrives in Birmingham for the start of the Commonwealth Games on 28th July.
On each leg of the journey, a Queen’s Baton Bearer is chosen. The Isle of Wight’s own Baton Bearer was Nicholas Earley, an inspirational young man who survived a serious illness and went on to successfully cycle across Britain raising thousands for charity.
Nicholas brought the Queen’s Baton to the Island on board a special Hovertravel flight and once it docked was greeted by civic leaders, friends, family and well-wishers from around the Island who applauded him as he came down the hovercraft steps holding the specially-designed baton.
Chair of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Claire Critchison, gave an address to mark the arrival of Earley and said:
“I’d like to to welcome the Queen’s Baton to the Isle of Wight, on its journey around the world to the games in Birmingham.
“I am very pleased to welcome Queens’ Baton Bearer Nicholas Earley, and thank him for volunteering in this role.
“The Island is proud to be represented at the Commonwealth Games by champion discus thrower Nick Percy, a Bonchurch man, and we are joined today by some of our competitors for the Island Games, taking place next year in Guernsey.
Bob Seely, Island MP said:
“I’m absolutely delighted our bid to bring the Queen’s Baton to the Isle of Wight has been successful.
“There is an appetite for sport here – we have some very talented sportsmen and sportswomen competing at an international level, and, later this year, the Island will host the final leg of the UK’s most prestigious cycle race – the Tour of Britain.
“I hope both of these events will positively impact on the lives of our young people, inspiring them to follow their dreams.”
Gee whiz, what a wonderful waste of money.
Well, actually no. I went to ours in Winchester and I got a free flag, we were all filmed by the Games website, South Today and the Hampshire Chronicle were there, I saw our esteemed Council leader and his predecessor, both our local Councillors, the Mayor was there, the manager of the leisure centre, local schoolchildren to wave flags, there was a good public turn out, and I met two of our three baton carriers. It would have been the same on the Island. I urged my brother and his wife to go. And it was good publicity for both Winchester and the Island.
Wow! Excellent! I’m sure that’ll make all the difference……or something.
Really, what is the point in this, I mean, this is such a deal breaker for the isle of wight economy, and will surely bring in so many people to see a glorified metal candle. The world has gone mad.