July 24th 2002 -

The Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay
came to
Ashton-under-Lyne.

The 'Queen's Baton' celebrating the 17th Commonwealth Games, which was being relayed around the country prior to the start of the Games on Thursday 25th, was in Ashton town centre the day before.

The route that it followed commenced from Asda car park at on Wednesday 24th July. It then proceeded along Cavendish Street, turning into Old Street and passed the Ashton Renewal Project Office. It then turned into Oldham Road and continued through the traffic lights at the junction with Wellington Road, continuing on to the traffic lights at Newmarket Road, where it proceeded through Littlemoss to Droylsden.

There was a baton changeover on Oldham Road close to the Ashton Swimming Baths and spectators were being encouraged to congregate at this point. The Mossley Hollins school band was playing to entertain the crowds.