The Queen’s Baton arrived in Montserrat and spent two days exploring the island between 26 and 27 March. Montserrat has a population of just under five thousand, meaning if every inhabitant of the island came to the Opening Ceremony at Alexander Stadium, there would still be 25,000 seats left to fill!
Local man George JGP Piper hosted and commentated the Relay as an MC over the two days. The day started at Cudjoe Head, a local historical landmark, where Commonwealth Games athletes relayed the Baton to the National Bank and the Governor’s Office. National record holder, Julian Morris, had the special opportunity of carrying the Baton into the Government House. H.E. Sarah Tucker received the Baton from Bruce Farara, President of Montserrat Commonwealth Games Association.
Later that day, primary school students carried the Baton around the Government Headquarters and then returned it to the Governor’s Office.
The next day, the Baton visited Lookout Primary School, Brades Primary School, St. Augustine Primary School, and Montserrat Secondary School with the students being given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carry the Baton.
In the afternoon, cultural ambassadors, including Miss Montserrat Nia St. Clair, Titus Frederick, Captain of Emerald Shamiole Masquerades, and two members of the Emerald Community Singers, relayed the Baton around the peak St. George’s Hill, Plymouth, which was abandoned in 1997, following the effects of volcanic activity.
