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Birmingham 2022 is staging the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – an epic journey across the Commonwealth, with The Queen’s Baton visiting all 72 nations and territories.

The Relay began on 7 October 2021, with Her Majesty The Queen placing her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton. The Baton is now on its 294-day long journey to every corner of the Commonwealth.

The schedule of activity for the Baton’s time in the Dover district includes:

The Queen’s Baton arrives at Deal Pier by boat from Folkestone at 6pm. Deal Pier is the last pleasure pier to be built in Britain and was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1957. The Queen’s Baton will be welcomed by a chorus of sea shanties.

The Queen’s Baton Relay continues along the seafront from Deal to Borrow Pitt car park in Walmer.

The Queen’s Baton Relay then moves along the coast to Dover with a route along the White Cliffs of Dover (National Trust Langdon Cliffs site).

The Queen’s Baton Relay will end the day at Dover Castle where there will be a free party for 2,500 guests hosted by Dover District Council and English Heritage with music, entertainment, costumed characters and a gun salute. Tickets will be available on a first come first served basis and will be publicised on the Council’s social media sites. There will be food and drink available but guests are welcome to bring picnics. There will be blue badge parking on site but no other parking so guests will need to walk up to the Castle. Gates will open at 5.30pm with the baton arrival estimated at 7.30pm and gates closing at 9pm.

Members of the public are encouraged to get involved with the celebrations and embrace the arrival of the Baton, taking the opportunity to experience the buzz of Birmingham 2022 in their community. The Birmingham 2022 website will be updated with information over the coming months, with detail on the events and where to line the route.