The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay comes through Huddersfield on Tuesday (July 12) and there’s a big celebration in Greenhead Park too.

Community and charity workers from across Yorkshire have been chosen to be baton bearers and among them is Charlene Novak, a community worker at the Jubilee Centre in Paddock.

Charlene’s voluntary work includes organising an annual Christmas Day meal for people who would otherwise be on their own.

The baton has already completed an epic journey visiting Commonwealth countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, and the Americas. It is now touring England as part of the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games, which take place in Birmingham from Thursday July 28 until Monday August 8.

The Baton sets off from St George’s Square at 12.15pm and makes its way to Greenhead Park for around 12.30pm where it will be welcomed by people attending a Commonwealth cultural event, taking place on the lower field.

Running from 11am-2pm, the event features a music, dance and art spectacle inspired by nations and cultures from the Commonwealth.

Residents are invited to bring along a picnic and join in the celebrations as Kirklees showcases its own diverse culture. 

Drivers and users of public transport are advised that there is likely to be some disruption to Huddersfield town centre traffic while the rolling-roadblock around the Batonbearers passes along the route. Disruption is expected to be minimal, and patience will be appreciated by the organiser.

A Games tradition, the Queen’s Baton Relay, celebrates, connects, and excites communities from across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. It also provides the opportunity for residents to experience the diversity of communities and cultures to be found in the Commonwealth.

Clr Shabir Pandor, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “I am thrilled that Huddersfield has been chosen as a destination for the Queen’s Baton Relay, as part of its incredible journey through England this summer.

“The backgrounds and stories of the Batonbearers, chosen for their contributions to their local communities in sport, education, the arts, culture and charity, will provide inspiration to people of all ages.

“Many of our residents have links to Commonwealth countries which gives us yet another reason to come together as a community to celebrate the arrival of the baton which puts Huddersfield, and Kirklees, firmly on the map.”