Commonwealth baton is celebration of Manx history

A decorated archer chosen to design the Isle of Man Commonwealth baton, said turning to art was a great comfort whilst caring for her ill mother.

Lesley Sleight's design was chosen to feature on the Manx baton for the King's Baton Relay, ahead of the games in July.

The artwork brings together a range of Manx landmarks, wildlife, heritage sites and sporting symbols, including Peel Castle, Tynwald Hill, the Laxey Wheel and the TT races.

Sleight, who learnt to paint online during the Covid-19 pandemic, said she wanted the baton to showcase the island's history, culture and community while highlighting the athletes who will compete for the Isle of Man at the Games.

"It was really about trying to get as many things that make the Isle of Man special into the design as possible."

Lesley, who is an internationally decorated archer, is pleased to have found a new way to represent the island.

"It's nice to be part of the island in a different way," she said.

"I had to look after my mum during covid because she had a stroke and painting was a great way to de-stress"

"It was a very difficult time, but art was a great help and comfort."

The brief for the design was 'culture and heritage,' which Lesley fulfilled by painting the island's great landmarks, nature, and Victorian infrastructure.

"I don't feel like I'm an artist, I wasn't even going to submit my design.

"When I found out I had won the design, I was at the European Indoor Archery Championships, waiting for a medal ceremony, and I was absolutely thrilled.

"It's just fantastic to be part of the games in a very tiny way".

The King's Baton Relay will visit sporting venues, heritage sites and community events across the Isle of Man during its six-day tour.

The Relay is a long-standing Commonwealth Games tradition which connects all 74 nations and territories of the Commonwealth ahead of the Games.

For Glasgow 2026, each nation and territory has created and decorated its own baton, showcasing its culture, heritage and identity.

Saturday:

The relay begins at the Curraghs Wildlife Park with a celebration of the Isle of Man's UNESCO Biosphere status before travelling to Castletown (13:00-14:00), Onchan Park (15:00-16:00) and the National Sports Centre (16:16-17:30) on its first day.

Sunday:

The baton will feature at the Manx Middle Distance Triathlon in Ramsey (07:30-09:45) before travelling by RNLI lifeboat to Peel, where it will take part in a Beach Buddies clean-up event linked to the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Campaign (12:00-14:00)

Monday:

The baton then sees a visit to University College Isle of Man (12:30-13:30) and then onto Centre 21 in Douglas, which supports individuals with learning disabilities (18:00-20:00)

Tuesday:

At (17:30-18:15), the baton makes its way to the Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway and then Government House (18:30-20:00), where former Commonwealth athletes will be recognised.

Wednesday:

The baton will be at the Douglas Horse Tram (10:00-10:30) to take part in celebrations marking 150 years of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway. It will then travel on the Manx Electric Railway to Laxey (10:30-11:15) to visit the Laxey Wheel (11:30-12:30). The day will conclude with weightlifting and athletics events at the National Sports Centre (16:00-19:00).

Thursday:

The relay's Isle of Man visit will end on Thursday with a heritage event at Rushen Abbey (11:00-12:00) involving primary school pupils from across the south of the Island.

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