Excitement builds for ‘unique’ Baton arrival

IT’S coming…It’s been carried under water across reefs, over snow-capped mountains; has been relayed by elephants and tribes through jungles and by hovercraft over deserts and by roller blade and bicycles though cities around the Commonwealth.

Now with great anticipation and much media attention Queen’s Commonwealth Baton will blaze through Wales to Carmarthenshire on May 27th.

The news eyes of the world will be focussed on Laugharne, Carmarthen, Ammanford and Llanelli where fun filled events have been planned to welcome the Baton.

Unlike the thousandfold replicated Olympic Torch, there is only one Queen’s Baton and the Carmarthenshire visit offers a unique opportunity for families to touch or be photographed with it and thousands are expected to turn out.

Families wanting to be involved in the Baton fun over the Spring Bank holiday should make a note in their diaries of the opportunities in the town nearest to them:

Laugharne: 8am-9am

A Commonwealth-themed programme of activities has been developed to accommodate media presence at this first venue and an iconic setting. Members of the public will be welcome along Dylan’s walk and to watch the activities from this viewpoint. Events will include a celebrity welcoming the baton bearers at the Writing Shed. Activities at the Boathouse include poetry reading by Menna Elfyn, re-creation of 1950s playground games by the children of Laugharne Primary School and a Dylan Thomas flash mob reciting and animating Dylan Thomas’s poetry.

Carmarthen Leisure Centre: 9.20am-3pm

A family fun packed day of activities to welcome the Queen’s Baton into the town on the second leg of its Carmarthenshire relay. A free Commonwealth-themed programme of activities will be on offer at the centre including art and storytelling workshops, a hockey festival, multi-skills sessions, Lucian the Roman children’s activity, swimming and a variety of sports-based taster sessions. The main event on the day is a junior ‘try’ triathlon, the first to be held in Carmarthenshire, launched by a celebrity guest.

Amman Valley Leisure Centre: 10am-2.30pm

A riot of celebration at Ammanford Leisure Centre will welcome the Queen’s Baton into the town. A free sports-themed programme has been developed including rugby, hockey and soccer tykes with free family swimming throughout the day. There will also be water polo taster sessions, fitness activities in the gym and a story trail.

Llanelli Town Hall to Ffwrnes: noon-4pm

Llanelli is generating a carnival Mardi Gras spirit, which it is hoped will become a legacy of an annual spring and summer carnival. The town plays host to the baton between 2pm and 3pm. There will be a colourful parade involving steel bands, cultural groups, gymnasts, stilt walkers and street entertainers. Townspeople are being encouraged to dress up and take part too.

There will be theatrical and choral entertainment outside Ffwrnes and a gymnastics display in Spring Gardens. The theme for the day will be the Commonwealth and its many different cultures, with the centrepiece of the festivities being a colourful parade led by the baton. The parade will start at the town hall with the baton’s arrival and then wind its way through the shopping centre before arriving at the Spring Gardens.

Carmarthen town: 4.30pm-7.30pm

The Queen’s Baton returns to Carmarthen town centre for an evening of cultural and sporting family entertainment. Nott Square and Guildhall will be host to a varied programme of singing, dancing and entertainment.