Brilliant Welcome to Turks & Caicos for Queen’s Baton.

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, April 7, 2022 – It was all smiles today, politicians, the Governor, children, corporate executives and former athletes expressed unbridled excitement as they donned white gloves in many cases in order to take up that globe-trotting Queen’s Baton.

Its arrival is a precursor to the 2022 Commonwealth Games which are set for Birmingham, England this summer; July 28 to August 7.

Not even the blazing sun could dampen the awe of those gathered at the Cheshire Hall Plantation, in Providenciales.

From a national costume wearing girl to the country’s oldest woman; it was a total delight when the momentous Baton was passed ever so gently from the Governor’s gloved hands to those of Evenner Landy.

There were loud cheers from the crowd.

“Praise the lord, I’m happy to be amongst you all may the Lord bless and keep you all safe. He is my father and I know he will take care of me today,” said 100-year old Mrs. Landy.

Ms. Landy partook in the relay herself, yes she did, in a generational pass down.

The Queen’s Baton went from Landy to her daughter Janet, to her granddaughter Maureen and onto her great grandson Adrian and finally to Evenner Landy’s great-great grandson King who struggled under the weight of the massive baton, but managed to get it on to the next carrier: Premier Washington Misick, his fellow North Caicos islander.

It was magnificent.

As a part of the core of professionals occupying the Cheshire Hall area of Providenciales, and due to their pivotal role in the country’s Covid-19 response, Frontline Healthcare Workers were next to carry the baton which had already been greeted by enthusiastic students in a motorcade from the airport to the former slave plantation.

Next for the Queen’s Baton in the Turks and Caicos; retired, at least for the night.