Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity DL and Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme have been on a mini tour of the county – 6 December 2018
Sir Gary and Christian headed to Brackenfield School in Harrogate where they were treated to a performance of Christmas in Yorkshire by 45 pupils, some as young as four years old.
The race will come right past the school’s gates as the riders take on the now-familiar Harrogate Circuit which will also be used extensively in the Yorkshire 2019 UCI Road World Championships next September.
Nicola Matthews, Brackenfield Head Teacher, said:
We were delighted to welcome Sir Gary Verity and Christian Prudhomme to our premiere of the song Christmas In Yorkshire written for iur children by our own, very talented Head of Music, Miss Helen Leaf.
The song definitely struck a chord with Sir Gary who shares our thoughts on how wonderful Yorkshire is.
The Tour de Yorkshire will be the last chance before the Championships to ride the circuit under race conditions.
The final stop on the tour was at RHS Harlow Carr, where Sir Gary and Christian met local dignitaries, including North Yorkshire’s Lord Lieutenant Jo Roper, and switched on the Christmas lights at the horticultural attraction.
Sir Gary Verity DL, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said:
It’s been great meeting people in two of the host towns of the 2019 Tour de Yorkshire and building excitement ahead of the full route announcement. We get so much support from our local communities during the race that we wanted to come and thank them in person.
It was fantastic to see so many young people in Armley engaging with cycling, the true legacy of both the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire. The Christmas performance was magical and the light switch on the icing on the (Christmas) cake.
Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said:
Through our CityConnect programme, the Combined Authority is working in partnership to make cycling and walking a viable option for all residents, regardless of age or ability. This work is key to ensuring the legacy of the Tour de France Grand Depart, and now the Tour de Yorkshire, for many years to come.
Building on work in our schools and communities, we know cycling is a great way for everyone to get around and have fun, whilst also enjoying the fresh air. Encouraging more of us to travel by bike or on foot not only boosts people’s health and saves individuals money, it also brings wider environmental and economic benefits, which is why we want to make cycling and walking a natural choice for short, everyday journeys.
