Tag: Commonwealth Games 2022

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NEWS: “It made me proud to be a Brummie,” hundreds welcome the Queens Baton Relay to Pype Hayes Park

Words by Ed King / Pics by Angela Chapman

Hundreds of people turned out on Pype Hayes Park today to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Erdington.

Over the last 269 days the Baton Relay has travelled through all 72 countries of the Commonwealth, covering 90,000 miles, before coming to the Games 2022 host city of Birmingham for the final leg of its globetrotting journey.

Over 7500 people have handed the Baton to each other, bringing the Queen’s message bearing icon to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games 2022 Opening Ceremony on Thursday, 28 July.

Having travelled through 180 communities across England over the last 25 days, the Baton ended up in Pype Hayes Park just after midday – with a backdrop of free games and activities to keep the celebration going.

Soft archery, karate demonstrations, a gaming van, and a special army inflatable for young people to test their strength and endurance were all set up on the green space by the Chester Road entrance.

Flags, frisbees, and footballs were given out, branded with the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 colours and logo, for people to play with during the Baton Relay and take home as a special souvenir of the day.

There was also a giant screen where people could challenge each other to a live basketball computer game, hosted by Ed James.

People of all ages spent hours in the park before and after the Baton Relay had come through Erdington, after making its way down to Pype Hayes from Sutton Coldfield.

Local mum, Angela Chapman, told Erdington Local: “We were probably there for about an hour and a half, we had a picnic and met family and friends there.

“It was a really lovely community atmosphere; it was lovely to see that many people out in Pype Hayes Park, there was a really good turn out – a real buzz as well.

“One of the highlights was when Perry (the bull – official Games 2022 mascot) appeared and was high fiving all the children, he got the crowd going before the Baton bearers came through. Everyone was waving their flags; it was a really lovely moment.

“For me it made me proud to be a Brummie, the whole build up over the last few days has been amazing, bringing colour to the city everywhere you go.

“When the baton bearers came through everyone was just cheering and clapping, it was just a lovely thing to see.

“It sparked that excitement for the Opening Ceremony tonight, and because the event and activities were free it was really open to everyone, which was great to see.”

Angela’s daughters, Florrie (10) and Violet (7), were also getting in on the fun and festivities.

They told: “It was really exciting; the park was full of games and people. We got to play on this big inflatable army assault course and do a karate class.

“Seeing Perry was amazing; he gave us all high fives before the runners with the Baton came through the park. It was a really happy day.”

Local resident, Alan Thomson, added: “Today was a great day for the people of B23/24. So many good things are happening not only in Birmingham but in Erdington too.

“So nice to see so many people turn up of all ages and cultures to welcome the baton.

“And the cherry on the cake, we got the betting shop proposal stopped on the High Street. Peace and love.”

The Commonwealth Games 2022 launched in Birmingham with the official Opening Ceremony on Thursday, 28 July – with 11 subsequent days of sporting competition and activity.

Fighting for England, Kingstanding boxer Nial Farrell will be competing in the Games – with bouts scheduled at the NEC.

For more on the Commonwealth Games 2022 visit www.birmingham2022.com

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NEWS: Local volunteer Marie Deane looks forward to Commonwealth Games 2022

Words & pics of Marie Deane by Steve Sharma

Local resident and Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) volunteer Marie Deane is on her marks for the experience of a lifetime, working at the Commonwealth Games 2022.

The 50-year-old, who has actively supported WLCA for more than five years, will be helping facilitate the hockey and squash tournaments – two of the most popular sports in the Games, with athletes battling it out every day after the opening ceremony.

Recruited as part of the Stand Out project, which opened up volunteer roles for people across the city, Marie will spend the 11 days of the Games’ competitions helping organisers prepare the venues for spectators.

In total, the Commonwealth Games 2022 enlisted over 10,000 volunteers to help deliver and support the prestigious sporting event – with about 30,000 people expected to attend.

Marie will also assist stadium staff with catering and cleaning duties, as well as getting rooms prepared for the athletes coming to compete in Birmingham.

Throughout the Games, over 5000 athletes will be taking part in 280 events across 23 sporting categories.

“It is so exciting and I can’t wait to get started, I just want to get stuck in,” said Marie.

“On a personal level, the experience will help to boost my confidence and make me feel more self-assured. The training I have received has been very positive and brought the Games to life for me. I know a lot more about it now than I did before.

“I feel energised just by the idea of playing a part in this historic event,” she added.

“I really believe I will thrive. I am a people person and there will be so much going on around the whole event, it will be dynamic.”

The Commonwealth Games 2022 begins in Birmingham on Thursday, 28 July and runs until Monday, 8 August. It will be the third time the international sporting competition has been held in England since its inaugural event in 1930.

The main venue for the Games is the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, but sites across the city are also being utilised – such as Sutton Park for the Triathlon and Para Triathlon events, with Powell’s Pool, the park itself, and surrounding roads ‘providing the ideal topography required to host the three triathlon disciplines.’

Further sporting events will be held outside Birmingham, such as cycling in Warwick, Wolverhampton and London, lawn bowls in Leamington Spa, and rugby sevens in Coventry.

Ahead of the Games’ opening ceremony, The Queen’s Baton Relay will be coming through Pype Hayes Park on Thursday, 28 July – with a celebration event held near the tennis courts by the Chester Road entrance at 12:25pm.

For more on the Commonwealth Games 2022 visit www.birmingham2022.com

For more from Witton Lodge Community Association visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

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NEWS: Commonwealth Games 2022 mascot Perry the Bull visits Wilson Stuart School

Words by Jobe Baker Sullivan / Pics supplied by Wilson Stuart School

On 18 May, Wilson Stuart School were lucky enough to be visited by Perry the Bull – the official mascot for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, to be hosted in Birmingham this summer.

Perry was well received by all as he moved around the school meeting and greeting both staff and students.

Perry first visited Bluesky nursery and Primary, dancing, skipping, and giving out ‘hi-fives’ with the students at every given moment before then making his way across school to secondary where he was greeted with yet more cheers and happy faces.

Wilson Stuart School in Perry Common is a special school that caters for 229 pupils aged 2-25 years.

The SEND students fully embraced the experience and were able to get photos with the Commonwealth mascot ahead of the Games. Students further took part in an action packed morning of activities, including a ‘find Perry’ orienteering course, medal design and athlete growth mindset workshops.

The visit from Perry the Bull “helped capture the family, fun and friendly feeling of the games and to get the students geared up to Birmingham hosting the games later this year,” said Tom Elmes, Associate Head of Secondary at Wilson Stuart School.

He added: “There was a real buzz of excitement from the students about our special visitor, it was great to see both staff and students interacting with Perry and the projects that we are part of are now starting to take shape ahead of the games this summer.”

Perry the Bull is a unique mascot for the Commonwealth Games 2022, named after both Perry Barr – where the main bulk of the Games will be held – and the Bull Ring Market.

His appearance is based upon the design of 11-year-old Emma Lou, winner of a national design competition that took place in 2020.

Artist in residence at Wilson Stuart School, Benny Semp, has also been working with students on a wall hanging to act as a legacy piece for the Games.

The Commonwealth Games will take place in venues across Greater Birmingham, the Midlands, and London between 28 July and 8 August.

For more on Wilson Stuart School visit www.wilsonstuart.co.uk

For more on the Commonwealth Games visit www.birmingham2022.com