The Queen’s Baton Relay reached Saint Helena on 5th December, for the first time in eight years.
The route started at Rupert’s Valley, which runs from the hills down to the coast, then made it to Alarm Forest, home to the Heart Shaped Waterfall, one of the seven wonders of Saint Helena.
The Baton reached new heights visiting Diana’s Peak for the first time, which is the highest point on the island and is of volcanic origin. Josh Herne, 16-year-old Batonbearer, was among those who took on the trek. Hiking up the mountain in single file along the thin, steep path, the parade of Batonbearers grew, as more joined in along the route.
Then the Baton toured the Blue Hill area, an entirely agricultural district, before heading to White Gate and Cape Villa, a home for elderly and vulnerable adults. The Baton toured New Ground, Ebony View and Half Tree Hollow before visiting another adult care centre, the Community Care Complex.
Batonbearers relayed through Jamestown, the capital of St Helena, before paying a visit to the Mule Yard.
The second day started at the Plantation House, the official residence of Dr Philip Rushbrook, the Governor of Saint Helena, as well as Jonathon the Tortoise. Johnathan, who also took part in the Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay, is a Seychelles giant tortoise, rumoured to be at least 189 years old and the oldest known living land animal.
The Baton was taken to Prince Andrew Secondary School and all three of the primary schools on the island. At each school, children stood in formation and passed the Baton around, meaning every student on the island was able to interact with the Baton.
The next stop on the tour was Jacob’s Ladder, made up of 700 steps and named after the biblical ladder leading to heaven. Brave Batonbearers and school children were positioned around 30 steps apart, ready to take on the Baton and relay it to the top as a team. Each person ran their part and passed it to the next person. From the top, the views gave an amazing panorama of the capital and its seafront, which was the next stop on the Relay.
The Jamestown Seafront is the resting place of the shipwreck of Papanui, which sunk in James Bay in 1911. The Baton was taken out to sea in a boat, flanked by many more and swimmers, who passed the Baton between themselves, before plunging below the surface to explore the wreckage.
Then the Baton returned to the Plantation House for an evening reception hosted by the governor.
