PHOTOS:
Barry Webb proudly leads the way
Roy Stephens - delighted to be involved
Other baton carriers
Thistle the mascot!
Youngsters enjoy the duathlon
All roads in the county recently led to St Davids as the Queen’s Commonwealth Games Baton came to the smallest city in Great Britain and its community rallied around what was a wonderful morning.
It was made special because the young, and not so young, were able to carry the baton which bore the Queen’s special hand-written message, which will be read out when the Games are officially opened in Glasgow later in the year.
Marvellous spirit
At 7am the houses and shops were being bedecked in bunting of red, white and blue which acted as a beacon in the cold mist that enshrouded the route from the Bishop’s Palace to the magnificent cathedral, up to the Cross Square and on to the school, via Oriel y Parc. The marvellous spirit was evident as a lady from Llys y Coed was out chatting to the soldiers from the 14th Signal Regiment on duty alongside a steward – and provided a cu
p of coffee to warm chilled hands and feet.There was also music at Cross Square and a choir at Oriel y Parc, with television cameras adding to the high-octane atmosphere generated by an enthusiastic crowd which followed the baton carriers right through the town.
Young Ambassadors rewarded . . .
The baton was carried in the main by the area’s Gold, Silver and Bronze Ambassadors from local schools, some of them very young sports men and women who are trying to inspire an interest in sporting activities for those not so keen back in their schools.
Ysgol Dewi Sant pupils Chloe Brown and Holly Davies got things underway from the Bishop’s Palace at 8am, and the pair were naturally eager to participate.
And despite the occasion, there were few signs of nerves from the girls, with Chloe saying: “All my family are here and I’m really looking forward to taking part
.”
Holly meanwhile, joked: “I’m excited and have been practicing a bit at home with my remote control.”
. . . and former baton carriers share wonderful memories with youn
gsters
Also on hand to carry the baton were Roy Stephens and Barry Webb, who were both involved in the same capacity when the games came to Cardiff in 1958.
“I was still a little nervous today, despite having done it before,” admitted Roy. “But I’m glad to be part of it. It’s been excellent.”
Barry, who along with Solva Primary School pupil Thomas Dufton, made the final handover to Council leader Jamie Adams at Ysgol Dewi Sant, added: “The event has changed a lot since 1958. There are a lot more people involved and I thoroughly enjoyed having my family here to support me.”
Civic dignitaries speak
What made it doubly nice was the fact that when the baton was exchanged the next recipients were followed by those already afforded the honour so that a swell of those wearing the special blue tee shirts continued to grow until everyone descended on the school with the two oldest baton carriers handing it over to Cllr Jamie Adams, leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, who congratulated everyone who had been involved and thanked everyone for making it a special morning.
Proceedings were temporarily halted at the Cross Square, to allow the mayor of St Davids, Councillor David Halse, and Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman, Councillor Tom Richards, to address the crowds.
Councillor Halse labelled the event, “absolutely fantastic, and a great honour for St Davids.
“I am very proud of all the baton bearers - but it’s also a proud day for all their sports teachers and coaches who put in so much time and effort. Today is just reward for them.”
At the School, Councillor Adams addressed the
“I would like to thank everyone who supported this - and we wish the baton well on its journey across Wales.”
Sport Pembrokeshire heavily involved
Head of Sport Pembrokeshire, Ben Field, said it was “brilliant” how many different aspects of the St Davids community had come together to help host the event.
“The Tourist Information Centre, Leisure Centre, Cathedral, National Parks, Primary and Secondary Schools have all been involved.
"And the youngsters really embraced the free taster sessions.”
Indeed, once the ceremonial aspect of the day was over a series of sporting activities for youngsters took place at St Davids Leisure Centre – including a ‘kids duathlon’, cycling with the Pembrokeshire Pocket Rockets, athletics with Pembrokeshire Harriers, weightlifting with Strength Academy Wales, and hockey and squash with Sport Pembrokeshire.
Special guests
Mingling in the crowd watching these events were special guests Ann Bevan (formerly of Pembroke and now in Cardiff) and Kate Hulse (previously from Fishguard but now a resident of Formby, Lancashire), who both played hockey for Wales in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur games. Welsh rugby international Jonathan Thomas (now playing for Worcester) was also there to support his nephew in the duathlon whilst former Olympic athlete Iwan Thomas filmed some of the activities for ‘The One Show’ on BBC and interviewed Barry Webb.
It all added up to a memorable day where the Queen’s Commonwealth Games Baton came to St Davids and it is sure to be remembered by participants and the people of the area alike!