Local stained glass artist, Caryl Hallett, has teamed up with Harrogate Borough Council to celebrate the arrival of the 2014 Tour de France when Stage One finishes in Harrogate town centre on 5 July 2014.
Caryl has been busy in her Harrogate studio designing and making a window which will be permanently located at the top of Montpellier Hill, at its junction with Parliament Street, and in sight of the finish line on West Park.
The window, which will be encased and fitted within a purpose built Yorkshire stone wall, depicts a cyclist wearing the iconic yellow jersey and riding through Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside. An inscription, highlighting the county’s ‘loveliness’, surrounds the work drawing upon words by John Ruskin.
The window will be installed early this summer and will form part of the extensive programme of local events and activities which will support the arrival of this prestigious and historic event.
Caryl said: I’m delighted to be able to showcase my work in this superb location and to support one of the greatest sporting events in the world. I watched a stage of the race in the south of France last year and the scale of the event is astonishing. It’s exciting to think that my work will identify that Le Tour visited our town long after it has passed through.
Councillor Pat Jones, the council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services said Caryl’s offer is a very generous contribution to the town’s celebrations: This is such a huge and historic event and it is thanks to artists such as Caryl that the Tour will be marked and remembered long after the Peloton has gone. I have seen Caryl’s work and it is truly beautiful. She will be on hand when it is installed to make sure that we make the best of the light to shine through the stained glass. I know residents and visitors will enjoy this for many years to come.”
Caryl’s work can be viewed at www.carylhallettstainedglass.co.uk
