The Queen’s baton will arrive in the Isle of Man on September 1 as part of a traditional relay ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The baton will be officially welcomed by the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association president Basil Bielich, who will be accompanied by the Chief Minister Howard Quayle and CGA officials, ahead of a tour of the island.

The Queen’s baton relay is the traditional curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games and has been part of the games’ programme since the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games.

Next year the games will be held in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. As usual, the Isle of Man will be represented in its own right.

In other competitions, such as the Olympics, Manx competitors come under Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Isle of Man will be the 43rd of 71 Commonwealth destinations visited and will come to the island from Northern Ireland.

The relay began at Buckingham Palace on March 13, when the Queen handed the baton to Australian cyclist and Commonwealth and Olympic Games medallist Anna Meares.

Anna was the first of many thousands of batonbearers who will be a part of the baton’s journey around the Commonwealth.

Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney said: ’Being part of the Queen’s baton relay is not only an exciting event for our but also an opportunity to highlight and promote the island to other members of the Commonwealth.’

Mr Bielich added: ’We look forward to seeing as many people as possible join in the festivities and turn out to cheer on the relay’s batonbearers.

’On Saturday, September 2, the Queen’s baton will be at the National Sports Centre in Douglas from 9am until midday, Laxey village from 12.30pm until 2pm, Douglas town centre between 3pm and 4pm and Cregneash Village at 4.30pm, with a Queen’s baton jogging relay to The Sound for 5.30pm. On Sunday, September 3, the Queen’s baton will be at Ramsey’s Mooragh Park from 9am until 11am and in Peel from 12.45pm until 1.45pm.’

The baton, containing a message from the Queen, will travel for 288 days through Africa, the Americas, Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania before arriving in Australia for a 100-day tour.

The final batonbearer will return the baton to the Queen, or her representative, at the games’ opening ceremony on April 4, 2018.

The Queen’s message will be removed and read aloud to officially open the games.

All are welcome to get involved in the visit, with events being held around the island. giving residents the opportunity to see the baton and celebrate Team Isle of Man.

Saturday, September 2:

9am - noon - National Sports Centre, Grove’s Road, Douglas

12.30p, - 2pm - Queen’s baton walking relay from Laxey Pavilion to Laxey Wheel

2.30pm - 2.45pm - Horse tram along Douglas promenades (Derby Castle to The Sefton Hotel)

3pm - 3.30pm - Richmond Travel, Strand Street, Douglas

3.30pm - 4pm - Manx Telecom, Strand Street, Douglas

4.30pm - 5pm - Harry Kelly’s Cottage, Cregneash Village

5pm - 6pm - Queen’s baton jogging relay to the Sound

Sunday, September 3:

9am - 11am - Mooragh Park, Ramsey

11.30am - 11.45am - Grandstand, Douglas

11.45am - 12.15pm - Isle of Man Hospice

12.30pm - Tynwald Hill, St John’s

12.45pm - 1.45pm - Moore’s kipper factory, Peel

2.30pm - 3.30pm - Snaefell summit (electric tram from the Bungalow)

4pm - 5pm - Sports fun day, Centre 21, Greenfield Road, Douglas

Details are available on www.cga.im/baton and the full international relay can be viewed at www.gc2018.com/qbr

Over the weekend the baton will also visit the association’s ’team champions’ Auxesia, Escape the Rock, Manx Telecom, Paysafe, Skanco and SMP Partners, as well as Government House and Tynwald Hill.

Isle of Man Trike Tours will be the official transport for the baton as it makes it way around the island.

For more information about the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association including ways to support Team Isle of Man visit www.cga.im.