Teacher named for Queen’s Baton Relay through Grantham

A teacher has been named as the latest Batonbearer to be taking part in the Queen’s Baton Relay through Grantham on 11 July during the build up to the Commonwealth Games.

Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth.

Marathon runner Hannah San Jose uses her running to raise money for Kenyan charity Educate For Life and is actively involved in Grantham’s Junior Park Run.

Her nomination to relay organisers from South Kesteven District Council stressed her dedicated community volunteer role, fitting around her work as a primary school teacher.

Hannah said: “I am very excited and extremely proud to be part of the relay and I am hoping to see our Commonwealth congregation lining the route.

“When I am running a marathon I go as fast as I can, but this time I shall be taking it slowly and making the most of every minute of carrying the baton. It’s a massive privilege.”

Hannah works with migrant communities and refugees through Grantham’s Jubilee Church Life Centre, where 34 nations are represented in its congregation, including many Commonwealth countries.

Hannah has spent two years working in Kenya with Educate For Life, supported by the Jubilee Church, helping young people qualify for university and medical studies.

Throughout the pandemic she worked with a faith group supplying food parcels to those in need and has put together a team of retired teachers to work with Afghan refugees, teaching English and helping them to integrate socially.

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

Kicking off on Thursday 2 June, the Baton will spend four days in London, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend. The Baton will then resume the international journey and return to England on Monday 4 July to commence a 25-day tour of the regions.

On Monday 11 July, the last day of the baton route through the East Midlands, Grantham will officially welcome the Baton at around 10.15 am.

During its time in Grantham, the Queen’s Baton Relay will start and finish at the Wyndham Park Visitor Centre with the relay hosted and organised by South Kesteven District Council.

It will travel through the town’s historic quarter, starting along Redcross Street and turning left along the length of Castlegate past the King’s School where Sir Isaac Newton was educated, St Wulfram’s Church and the National School.

It then turns left again onto Avenue Road, to its junction with the Riverside Walk, following the River Witham back to Wyndham Park. Road closures will be in place along the route.

Also carrying the baton in her home town is Rachael Bradley, a member of SKDC’s tenancy services team, who is in remission after battling breast cancer. Rachael jointly set up Breast Friends Grantham to raise awareness of the disease and offer support.