Published on:
16
June 2014
Clackmannanshire Council has been working with community partners for many months to ensure that the arrival of the Queen's Baton Relay will give as many people as possible a chance to share in the magic of the 2014 Games.
The route includes every community in Clackmannanshire, offering people across the county a chance to be a part of the excitement, celebrations and countdown to Scotland's biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and show their support for the home team.
The relay will reflect the important role of sport by visiting schools, sporting facilities and leisure centres, encouraging communities to get behind Team Scotland, get involved with the Games and using its profile to get more people participating in sport.
From Muckhart in the east of the county to Menstrie in the west the baton will travel the length and breadth of Clackmannanshire on Wednesday 25th June.
Around 100 inspirational batonbearers will carry the baton around Clackmannanshire - each one of them an extraordinary individual who makes a positive difference to the lives of others.
Given the nature of the event and planning arrangements surrounding the Queen's Baton Relay and the accompanying convoy, there is likely to be some traffic disruption as the baton arrives in each community and we advise everyone along the route to make plans to ensure that this doesn't disrupt your business or travel arrangements.
Hundreds of letters have been delivered to local residents explaining the temporary parking restrictions and road closures that will be in place to allow the Queen's Baton Relay to take place safely across Clackmannanshire.
Road closures have been kept to a minimum and parking restrictions will be lifted after the baton has passed through each community.
Thousands of school children from Clackmannanshire's nurseries, primaries and secondary schools will be lining the route and taking part in community-led events.
Members of the public are encouraged to also line the route and maps showing good viewing areas are available on ClacksWeb.
Security around the baton and batonbearers will be significant, so please ensure the progress of the batonbearers is not impeded at any time.
Council staff will be stewarding the route and the school children will be accompanied by school staff at all times.
Community-organised events are being planned along the route including:
- Picnic in the Park organised by Alloa Community Council involving Sunnyside, St John's and Claremont Primary Schools, local churches, Happy Days, Alloa Musical Players and Parkway Court Residents at Greenfield Park including a 700-strong choir singing the Commonwealth Anthem
- A street party, bouncy castle and funfair in Mar Place outside Sauchie Hall organised by Sauchie and Fishcross Community Council, involving Craigbank and Deerpark Primary Schools, Sauchie Nursery, Activ8, Sauchie Parish Church and the Scouts and Brownies
- A large event within the grounds of Dollar Academy involving Strathdevon Primary and the local community. Pipe band and a range of sports being demonstrated
- A Commonwealth Village in Alva's Cochrane Park involving the Toddlers, Guides, Scouts, Churches, and Ochil Landscape Partnership. The event will feature a Samba band, dancers, songs and 'Taste of the Commonwealth' stalls. The baton will be piped into the park and Ochil Leisure Enterprises are organising relay races
- Menstrie Community Council will be providing some food - burgers and a hog roast- and there will be entertainment for children, including a bouncy castle. Tulliallan Pipe Band will be performing and there will be live music from local band Coochie Coo for the occasion. The church bells will also be ringing
The day of celebrations will culminate in the Commonwealth Festival of Sport and Dance - a free, but ticketed, evening event for the public at Lornshill Academy. This event will include sport demonstrations, come-and-try sessions and performances of dance and music around the athletics track. Displays will come from the Ochil Mountain Rescue Team and Tullibody Healthy Living Initiative and there will also be storytelling from Tam Dean Burns. There will be no parking at Lornshill for this event, and a park and ride service will be provided for those attending.
Provost Tina Murphy said: "I hope that the Queen's Baton Relay on 25th June is an unforgettable day when the whole of Clackmannanshire comes together to celebrate this momentous occasion."