RESIDENTS are being encouraged to turn out and cheer when the Queen’s Baton Relay visits the area next week.

On Monday, July 4, a total of 15 Batonbearers will share in carrying the baton from Shore Road in Poole to Bournemouth’s Pier Approach.

The route will finish when the baton makes its way down the zip wire to the shore.

It is due to visit Shore Road around 5.23pm and arrive at the zip wire at approximately 6.17pm. 

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

The Batonbearers have been chosen because they are inspirational, have made a positive impact within their community and have made a meaningful contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture or charity.

Read more: Where and when you can see the Queen's Baton Relay in BCP and Dorset

Bournemouth Echo: Martin Cook who will be a Batonbearer during the Queen's Baton RelayMartin Cook who will be a Batonbearer during the Queen's Baton Relay

Among those selected is Martin Cook, senior teaching assistant in PE at Victoria School in Poole, who began as a parent volunteer over 20 years ago and gradually moved through the school in various roles.

He said: “It’s a great privilege to represent the school and the young people that go on to do great things. It means the world to me that someone thinks I am doing a little bit of good.”

Volunteer John Churchill is also taking part in the relay. He joined as a volunteer helper at Mudeford Community Infants School in 2004, and he also joined the Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service as a volunteer when he retired as a magistrate in 2000.

Bournemouth Echo:

John said: “My first reaction was absolute shock and amazement at being selected. Firstly, I was humbled at being considered part of such a select group of people and secondly, I was shockingly proud - it gave me a huge lift and I thought I had won gold.”

Councillor Jane Kelly, cabinet member for communities, health and leisure, said: “It is an enormous honour for the Queen’s Baton Relay to pass through our beautiful region during this Jubilee year and I would encourage everyone to come out and line the route along the seafront to see the baton and cheer on our inspiring local community heroes.”

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay started at Buckingham Palace on October 7 2021, when Her Majesty The Queen placed her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton.

It was passed to four-time Paralympic gold medallist and Team England athlete Kadeena Cox, who had the honour of being the first of thousands of Batonbearers to carry the Baton through the Commonwealth.