The feeling has been expressed locally that the arrival of the Queen’s Baton here, as part of its travels throughout the Commonwealth, is not only a recognition of the island’s place in the body of nations, but an incentive for tiny Anguilla’s participation in the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Arrival of the Queen’s Relay Baton at Wallblake Airport in Anguilla

The Baton was accompanied to Anguilla on August 18 by a four-member travelling party from Australia. Its arrival at Wallblake Airport came as the Anguilla Anguilla Amateur Athletic Association and the Sports Directorate were continuing their plans to select fifteen athletes to represent the island at the March 2006 games in Melbourne, Australia.

Arrival of the Queen’s Relay Baton at Wallblake Airport in Anguilla

Sir Emile and Calvert Carty (right - left) with escorts of Queen’s Baton at Sandy Ground

The Queen’s Baton, a masterpiece of information technology, was first presented to Governor Alan Huckle. Commenting on its technological capabilities, he said: “The Baton will allow the people of Anguilla to demonstrate their commitment to their own island and to show it off to others around the world who will be looking through the internet and indicate their own pride for participating in the Commonwealth Games.

UFO (foreground) along with Miss Anguilla waiting to take Baton and escorts to Scilly Cay

Members/Supporters of the UFO with Calvert Carty and Clement Ruan, sponsor

“Anguilla will have a small team but we will be at the forefront of the parade on the opening day (Anguilla has the advantage of starting with an ‘A’) and we will be walking behind the flag of Anguilla with pride.”

Crew of Miss Anguilla

Hon. Evans Rogers with Baton at James Ronald Webster Park

Acting Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Victor Banks, to whom the Governor passed the Baton, said it “was a wonderful way to link to the Commonwealth of Nations and Anguilla was certainly proud to be included in the tour for the first time.”

Staff at Cap Juluca with Baton

He went on: “The technology will afford us the opportunity for Anguilla to be showcased all over the world. I appreciate the effort that has been put into this project by the local organising committee. I think it represents the way that we feel about the kind of relationship that we are continuing to build. Anguilla is a very small but proud island and we want to demonstrate to the world that we too …can achieve great things when we try hard to excel in sports and any other area.”

Cyclists with Baton

Photography Lloyd Gumbs with Baton

Minister of Sports, Evans Rogers, who joined in the welcome ceremony, said the Baton’s arrival in Anguilla was an historic occasion and meant a great deal to sports enthusiasts on the island.

There were various other speakers including Government officials, sports personalities and media representatives, all of whom had an opportunity to handle the Baton.

Runners in the western area of Anguilla

Over the next two days following its arrival, the Baton was carried throughout the island in vehicles and in relays with stops at various places. It left Anguilla on Sunday August 21 for the British Virgin Islands.The Baton will be travelling over 183,000 kilometers to the 71 member countries of the Commonwealth. It has already gone through Europe, Africa and various other parts of the world including the Caribbean.

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