The baton’s arrival wasn’t just ceremonial. It gave Montserrat a chance to highlight what makes the island special and reaffirm its place in the wider Commonwealth family.
Local artist Kelvin “Tabu” Duberry OM was behind the baton’s design, which included powerful symbols of Montserratian identity. The oriole, the national bird, the bright Heliconia flower, traditional masqueraders, the island’s iconic volcano and the evergreen tree all featured, each one chosen to reflect Montserrat’s heritage and resilience.
The relay got off to an active start on 5 May with a community beach clean-up at Marguerita Bay. Volunteers of all ages worked alongside the Montserrat National Trust, the Montserrat Commonwealth Games Association and the Royal Commonwealth Society. Held on Labour Day, the event helped raise awareness of marine pollution and gave people a chance to take action as part of the Commonwealth’s Clean Oceans campaign.
On 6 May, the baton made its way from Cudjoe Head to the Governor’s Office in Brades. Governor Harriet Cross received it from Bruce Farara, Chair of the Montserrat Commonwealth Games Association, during a short ceremony with students, athletes and guests in attendance. She spoke about the island’s efforts to protect the environment and praised the baton’s artwork for capturing the spirit of Montserrat.
Later that day, local athletes and schoolchildren led a symbolic relay around Government Headquarters. Pupils from three primary schools had the opportunity to hold the baton and take photos, creating memories many of them are likely to carry for a long time.
On 7 May, the baton toured schools across the island to mark World Kids’ Athletics Day. Pupils then gathered at Little Bay Playing Field for an “athletic happy hour”, a relaxed session of short sprints, jumping games and relay-style races that encouraged participation and gave the children a chance to hold the baton, take photos and learn about its significance.
The final day, 9 May, saw the baton take part in a children’s sports event at a local park, giving young people another opportunity to join in through games and physical activity.
Later that afternoon, the team visited the island’s exclusion zone, which has been closed since the 1995 eruption of the Soufrière Hills Volcano. Standing with the volcano in the background, the group took photos that captured the stark beauty of the landscape and the island’s enduring spirit.
Throughout the week, the baton also visited various community locations, giving residents and visitors alike the chance to take part in the experience and connect with the wider goals of the relay.
Montserrat’s leg of the Baton Relay celebrated people coming together, making a difference, and taking pride in where they live and showed exactly what the Commonwealth stands for.
