On 24th June the Baton will finally arrive in Denny following a 258 day journey through the Commonwealth. The route starts at Denny and travels across the area to Blackness and many other communities in between to allow as many local residents an opportunity to see the Baton firsthand!
Falkirk Community Trust has been working with Falkirk Council and other partners for many months to ensure that the Queen's Baton Relay will be seen by as many people as possible and allow them to play their part in the 2014 Games.
102 batonbearers will carry the baton around the Falkirk Council area visiting key landmarks along the way including Forth Valley Royal Hospital, the Falkirk Wheel, Callander Park, Kinneil Estate, Blackness Castle, Grangemouth Stadium and finally the Kelpies and Helix Park.
Falkirk Council’s Provost Pat Reid said: “With only days to go until the Baton arrives in the area, the final preparations are now in place to ensure as many people as possible catch a glimpse of it as it makes its way to Glasgow!
“Thousands of school children from nurseries, primaries and secondary schools will line the route and will also have an opportunity to take part in a number of sporting and cultural events. We’re very much looking forward to a fabulous day with lots to see and do for everyone.”
The Baton Relay and accompanying convoy will be in the area until early evening and because of the scale of the event, traffic disruptions are possible. Parking restrictions will also be in place to allow the Queen’s Baton Relay to take place and will be lifted after the baton has passed.
A wide range of free events will take place along the route and includes:
- Denny High School will be the first stop for the Baton at 8.15 am and the event will run from 7.45 – 9.30 am and will feature the Denny High Dancers.
- The Falkirk Wheel from 9.45 am – 12.15pm featuring choirs and dance
- Callendar Park from 11.15 – 2.30 featuring the following:
- Schools Picnic in the Park
- The Baton will be welcomed into the park by flag bearers who will form a guard of honour. There will also be a guard of honour down Queen’s drive to see the Baton off on the next leg of its journey
- Mass participation dance and body fit sessions
- Demonstration sports to include, table tennis, tennis, judo, rugby, athletics, netball, hockey, badminton and lawn bowls.
- Ultra Violet –Band on stage 2 x 30 minute sets
- Science Centre staging body works drop in sessions.
- River City star Tam Dean-Burn will cycle around park giving impromptu readings from Julia Donaldson books, eg The Gruffalo
- Kinneil Estate from 1.30pm-3pm
- Mass dance activity
- Mass exercise to music activity
- Baton arrives
- Grangemouth Stadium from 4.00 – 5.00pm
- Joint run around the track with Baton Bearers accompanied by young athletics members. Sectioned off photo area for photo opportunities for general public (touch the baton opportunities). Sports come and try opportunities run through harriers / flyers, run jump throw & martial arts.
- The Helix from 5.00 - 8pm
- Come along and picnic in the park, view the 17 Commonwealth Sports, listen to choirs and watch the dancers as we prepare for the baton’s arrival. The baton will be greeted by the Provost and official representative from the Commonwealth Games 2014. The choirs will sing the Commonwealth Song which is being performed at every evening event in preparation for the Games. Stuart Cassells from the Red Hot Chili Pipers will be joined on stage by traditional musician Brian McNeil and friends and local pupils who will play a specially commissioned set. The event will finish with a mass ceilidh.
Parking will be limited at events, see below;
The Wheel – both car parks available
Callendar Park – Estate Car Park, Kemper Avenue & Callendar Square
Kinneil - no parking available on site
Blackness Castle – no parking available in the village or at the Castle
Grangemouth Stadium – limited parking on east side and overflow around the back of the stadium
The Helix – no parking on site, parking available at Forth Valley College, Coasters & West Main Industrial Estate, no parking at Falkirk Stadium