THE Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Dorset today as part of its epic journey across the Commonwealth. 

It will travel across the county culminating in a celebration on the beach at Bournemouth.

Here's everything you need to know. 

What is the Queen’s Baton Relay?

The Queen’s Baton Relay marks the countdown to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The relay began on October 7, 2021, with the Queen placing her message to the Commonwealth into the baton.

It is currently on a 294 day-long journey across the Commonwealth, visiting all 72 nations and territories.

The home leg of its journey will be taking in 180 towns, cities and villages up and down England and eventually reaching the West Midlands, signalling the start of the final countdown to the sporting contest’s beginning.

Bournemouth Echo:

When is it coming to Dorset?

It will visit Dorset on Monday, July 4, calling at Portland, Poole and Bournemouth.

What’s the itinerary?

At 2.42pm, the baton will start its visit to Portland in Lerrett Road before turning into Mulberry Avenue. The baton will then travel towards Hamm Beach Road and onto Portland Marina where it will complete its journey at the National Sailing Academy.

Then at 2.55pm, the baton will take a trip around the marina on a National Sailing Academy boat and wing foil.

Later in the day, at 5.23pm, it will visit Shore Road and head towards Flaghead Chine before making its way on Undercliff Promenade before reaching Bournemouth Pier.

It will then make its way along the pier before taking a ride on the zip wire at 6.17pm ahead of a community celebration on the beach at 6.31pm.

A community celebration will then take place at Bournemouth Pier at 6.31pm which will end at around 6.50pm.

Who are the Batonbearers?

Thousands of ‘Batonbearers’ will be taking turns along the journey through England – between 40 and 130 each day of the route.

One of those who will be taking part locally is Rob Franks from Poole.

Speaking to the Echo last month he said: "I was pretty blown away, I didn't know I was nominated when I found out the news."

Rick Walters, a volunteer at UK disaster response charity RE:ACT, will be in action at 6.10pm on West Cliff Promenade. 

Rick has been with RE:ACT since 2017.

Toby Wickes, RE:ACT Chief Executive, said: “Rick is a role model within the charity and continues to support new volunteers as part of the RE:ACT training team, instructing and organising behind-the-scenes logistics for our team, which doesn’t go unnoticed.”