Derbyshire officer takes on Queen's Baton Relay

Derbyshire welcomed the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay as it continues on its journey through England this summer.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is travelling the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on 28 July.

On Monday (11 July), the baton reached Derby, before moving on through the Derbyshire Dales and onto the High Peak all in the same day, incorporating a number of organised events in the county, including at Derby City Centre Market Place, Bakewell Recreation Ground and the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton.

Officers in the areas were out and about to support the relay as it passed through, and to ensure everyone enjoyed themselves safely.

Derbyshire Constabulary very proudly also had it’s very own baton bearer in the form of PC Geoff Marshall, who was selected as one of community members to carry the baton through the Buxton leg.

PC Marshall was nominated to take part to recognise the work he had done as part of the emergency team at Toddbrook Reservoir in Whaley Bridge in 2019, when it was feared the dam would collapse.

The torch travelled safely through Derbyshire before making it’s way out of the county alongside those escorting it on Monday evening.

Chief Inspector Katie Andrews lead the policing around the events in Derbyshire and said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is an iconic part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and we were extremely pleased to be able to support the journey through Derbyshire.

“We want to thank everyone who came down to support the events as well as our officers and partners. Working together, the events were extremely enjoyable and it was great to see the baton pass through in such a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

"I also want to congratulate Geoff. What an achievement being selected to carry the baton, and well deserved for the amazing work he did at Toddbrook Reservoir in 2019. It was a really proud moment to see him representing us.

To find out more information on the next steps of the Queen’s Baton Relay, and the Commonwealth Games, visit the Birmingham 2022 website. You can also follow the baton relay on social media using #QBR2022.