East Riding of Yorkshire Council is encouraging businesses, landowners, farmers, schools and community groups to take part in this year’s Tour de Yorkshire ‘Lining the Route’ land art competition.
Land art has become symbolic of Yorkshire’s cycling legacy and has been a key part of publicity for both the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in 2014 and the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire in 2015, with audiences around the world enjoying the imaginative, quirky, humorous and skilled artistic displays as the helicopters followed the pelotons across the county.
Beverley will host the race start in 2016 with riders then passing through a number of other East Riding settlements, including Cherry Burton, Etton, South Dalton, Holme-on-the-Wolds, Middleton-on-the-Wolds, Market Weighton, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor and Bubwith. With the world watching, the council is confident that the East Riding will come together to make the event one to remember.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
“The council is proud to be supporting this year’s Tour de Yorkshire and is pleased to have secured the race start in Beverley.
“Nine communities will have the opportunity to see some of the cycling world’s top names riding through and, with the eyes of the world watching, it is an excellent opportunity for people to promote all that is good about the East Riding of Yorkshire.
“Ideas for land art don’t need to be expensive; they can be very simple and are a great way of celebrating the history, heritage and scenery of our area.
“If you have an idea you would like to discuss, please contact the race organisers, Welcome to Yorkshire.”
People will be encouraged to vote for their favourite installation over the weekend of the tour and in the days that follow. A top five will be selected based on votes received and the winner will receive the ‘Lining the Route’ land art trophy.
Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said:
“Land art is an iconic part of TV coverage for bike races. It’s a chance to show off our beautiful landscapes but also how creative and artistic we are as a county. The competition is hotting up and we have entries coming in from across the route, so it’s time for East Riding to get your thinking caps on and show us what you can create.”
All those involved will benefit from PR and publicity associated with the competition and, by telling Welcome to Yorkshire about your plans and sending your ideas and pictures, they will also be able to let the helicopters know what to keep an eye out for as they plan their TV coverage.
