What are the
Commonwealth
games?
The Commonwealth Games is an
international, multi sport event similar to the
Olympics involving athletes from the
Commonwealth of Nations.
What is the
Commonwealth of
nations?
Commonwealth of nations – a group of
nations including the United Kingdom and
some former British colonies that are now
sovereign states but still show allegiance to
the British Crown.
Who are the
Commonwealth of
nations?
There are 54 members of the Commonwealth
of Nations, but 71 teams participate in the
Commonwealth Games as a number of
British overseas territories, and island states
compete under their own flag. The four Home
nations of the United kingdom, also send
separate teams.
When did the
Commonwealth games
start?
There have been 19 Commonwealth games
starting in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada.
Glasgow 2014 will be the 20th edition of the
event
What is the Queens
relay?
The Queen's Baton Relay, is a relay around the world
held prior to the Commonwealth games. The Baton
carries a message from the head of the
Commonwealth, currently Queen Elizabeth II. The
Relay traditionally begins at Buckingham palace in
London. The Queen entrusts the baton to the first
relay runner. At the Opening Ceremony of the
Games, the final relay runner hands the baton back
to the Queen, who reads the message aloud to
officially open the Games.
Where does the Queens
baton relay go?
The Queens baton relay visits every single one
of the 71 Nations and territories, across the
world.
The Queens baton relay for Delhi 2010
travelled 112,000 miles which took 1 year
and 1 day in total to complete.
Is how the Queens relay
baton looks important?
The host city or nation of the games is
entrusted with designing the baton, in a way
which represents their city or nation.
Delhi 2010
It was coated with soils
from the various
regions of India, and
held the Queen's
message, printed on
an 18 carat gold leaf,
representing gold's
qualities and
symbolism of power
in India.
Melbourne 2006
It contained 71 lights,
representing the 71
member nations of
the Commonwealth. A
video camera built
into the front of the
baton recorded
continuously as the
baton travelled. It
was green and yellow
the traditional colours
of Australia
Kuala Lumpur 1998
The Baton design was
inspired by a traditional
Malay artifact, the
'Gobek', which is a unique
cylindrical nut-pounder
widely used on a daily basis in
Malay homes.
Glasgow 2014
• The baton’s handle is
made of elm wood
sourced from the Isle
of Cumbrae.
• The baton contains a
granite ‘gemstone’
which will be gifted to
each nation and
territory. Housed at
the very top of the
baton, it is released
only by opening a
clever puzzle
mechanism
Your Challange
• You have been asked to design a baton
which you reflects how you think we
should show Glasgow as a city.
• Think about what makes Glasgow famous
• Shape, colour, materials, design and
interesting features or ideas are all up to
you.
• Label and highlight to others the features
you have included.
Your reward
• The most interesting and creative baton
designs from each class will be selected
as the group who take the Glasgow
schools baton to the next school.
• The Glasgow schools baton relay, is
travelling around the city at the same time
as the Queens baton relay.
Good luck
everyone!