Barry Dock RNLI, alongside the local RNLI Lifeguard Team, played a key role in welcoming the King’s Baton Relay into Wales on Friday, as the relay officially began its Welsh journey at Whitmore Bay.
The relay, which forms part of the build-up to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, arrived at Barry Island as the first stop on its journey across Wales, which will see the baton travel through communities across the nation before finishing in Anglesey.
The day began at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, where Bro Radio broadcast live throughout the morning before heading to Whitmore Bay to cover the baton's arrival ashore.
As part of the opening event, Barry Dock RNLI’s all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, the Richard and Caroline Colton II, transported the baton into Whitmore Bay before Gethin Jones handed it over to RNLI Lifeguards Jai Gerrish and Rees Harris on the Rescue Water Craft (jet ski), who brought it ashore for the official handover.
Hundreds of people gathered on the beach and promenade to welcome the baton into Wales, creating a memorable start to the Welsh leg of the Relay.
Following its arrival, baton bearers carried the baton along the beach before the Relay progressed onto the promenade, culminating in a special performance from a local school that provided a celebratory and community-focused welcome.
The pleasant weather and no rain, provided a fitting backdrop to the celebrations, with residents and visitors lining the beach and promenade to witness the historic arrival.
RNLI volunteers from the and RNLI Visitor Experience and Shop on the promenade, were on the beach to welcome the baton ashore, joined by Stormy Stan, the RNLI mascot, and Gwen, Team Wales' dragon mascot, who proved popular with spectators throughout the morning.
Following the handover, RNLI volunteers accompanied the Baton bearer along the promenade, helping create a vibrant and enthusiastic welcome as the Relay continued its journey.
The event was particularly significant for Barry Dock RNLI, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary year in 2026, having served the local community since 1901. This year is also the 25th anniversary of RNLI Lifeguards, so this was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our one crew lifesaving impact across our lifeboats and lifeguards in Barry.
Each of the 74 nations and territories participating in the Commonwealth Games has its own baton featuring a unique word. Wales’s chosen word is COMMUNITY, reflecting the people, organisations and volunteers who strengthen communities across the nation every day.
Barry Dock RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Bill Kitchen said ‘Community sits at the heart of everything we do within the RNLI, so it felt incredibly fitting to help welcome the King’s Baton Relay into Wales as part of our 125th anniversary year.
‘From our volunteer lifeboat crew and RNLI lifeguards, to our fundraising, shop and Visitor Experience and water safety volunteers, everything we achieve is only possible because of the incredible support we receive from our community.
‘It was wonderful to see so many people come together to welcome the Baton into Wales and celebrate this special moment.’
Alongside the relay activities, volunteers and partners also took part in a beach clean organised in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy and Team Wales partner Principality Building Society, reinforcing a shared commitment to protecting coastlines, reducing plastic pollution and supporting local communities.
The arrival also helped highlight the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, which aims to prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways before the Games begin in 2026.
Protecting the coastline and promoting water safety are central to the RNLI’s work in Barry, making the campaign a particularly relevant part of the relay’s visit to Barry Island.
The event brought together RNLI volunteers, lifeguards, Team Wales representatives, the Vale Council, Keep Wales Tidy and members of the public, showcasing the strong community spirit that Wales’s Baton word represents.
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