News: Tour of Britain

Riders pass Beelzebub (Darcey Ball) and the Archangel Michael (Sennen Richards-Fardell), characters from the historic Ordinalia trilogy, near St Just. Photo by Jon Rowley

A Wheely Good Day

The Tour of Britain began in Cornwall on Sunday, September 5. Some of the world’s best cyclists left Penzance and rode a circuitous 111-mile route to Bodmin, passing through many Cornish towns to the delight of massed crowds.

Among the riders were former BBC Sports Personality of the Year Mark Cavendish MBE, UCI World Road Champion Julian Alaphilippe and Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert, who seized the victory in this opening stage, and would later be crowned champion at the finishing line in Aberdeen on September 12.

He described the Grand Depart as “a tough stage,” adding: “It was almost overwhelming seeing the amount of crowds at the side of the roads. It’s nice to see people outside again, especially in a crowd together, and it’s nice to see people are so crazy about cycling. It makes it more beautiful when we win.”

Riders from Cornwall’s own Saint Piran team were also in the peloton. Team principal Richard Pascoe described the event as “a lifetime’s ambition to get a grassroots team into the premiership... mission accomplished in six years.” The build-up to the big day saw a raft of cycling-related announcements including the granting of planning permission for a new £7 million state of the art Cornwall Cycle Hub. In a partnership between British Cycling, Cornwall Council and Sport England, the hub will be built on councilowned land near the Newquay Aerohub Business Park, as a destination for riders to enjoy a range of exciting, fun and exhilarating cycling activities in 54 acres of enhanced natural environment.

The site will provide a national standard closed road circuit racing track and European standard BMX track. Trained staff will provide coaching to develop skills and bike handling for all ages and abilities, from the youngest child learning on a balance bike to someone who has been referred through their GP, or someone who wants to learn how to ride their e-bike safely.

In addition, 10 community cycle tracks are to be built throughout Cornwall. Walking and cycling charity Sustrans is working with schools that will house the tracks for use by the wider community too, in a project funded by Cornwall Council and British Cycling. Some schools have also purchased fleets of bikes that can be used on the track, and staff will be trained to lead cycle sessions. Locations include Penzance, Camborne, Falmouth, Truro, Newquay, Bodmin, Liskeard, Charlestown and Stratton. Seven tracks have already been completed by specialist track builders; the remaining tracks will be built during the autumn.

Sustrans’ Active Travel Officer, Nick Ratcliffe, who co-ordinated the cycle track programme said: “These tracks will provide these communities with somewhere safe and local for people of all abilities to learn and enjoy. They will help to encourage greater cycle confidence and develop bike handling skills. I hope that the tracks not only generate enthusiasm for more active lifestyles in the community, but also develop local talent. Maybe a future Olympic star will start their cycling career on one of these tracks.”

This cycle track programme is one of many cycling projects being implemented by Cornwall Council that have been inspired by Tour of Britain’s approaching visit. Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport Philip Desmonde said: “We’re building a home for cycling in Cornwall so the inspiration and legacy of the Tour of Britain will benefit Cornwall’s residents for years to come.” l

Bloomin’ Lovely New multi-use trails A new off-road trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders has opened near Portreath as part of a project

The Great Callestick Sunflower Weekend, over the August bank holiday weekend, raised £3,460 to be split between three charities: Farm Safety Foundation’s Yellow Wellies, Children’s Hospice South West and the Hall For Cornwall. Members of the public were invited to pick the beautiful blooms, and those left over were harvested to be used for sunflower oil. The farm hopes to repeat the event next year. l

Piran Saves the Day

A pet cat helped lead rescuers to its 83-year-old owner when she fell 70ft down a ravine near Wadebridge. Police were searching for the woman when a member of the public heard Piran’s persistent miaowing. Rescuers found the victim close by, where she had fallen down a drop and into a stream "with incredibly difficult access and uneven terrain". Fire crews hoisted the woman to safety on a stretcher, and she was taken to hospital by air ambulance. "Piran the cat saved the day," said Bodmin Police of the rescue, which happened near Wadebridge. l to open up links between the town and Redruth, and to encourage active travel. The Tolgus Trail begins near the Cornish Gold Centre, passing through the site of the former Tolgus Tin works and runs parallel with New Portreath Road, passing through historic mining landscape. On the Rame peninsula, the Looe Valley Trails project has published details of a recommended route between Looe (pictured) and Cremyll, covering Downderry, Seaton, Portwrinkle, Crafthole and Freathy along the way. The project team are keen to hear the views of members of the public; visit letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/looe-valley-trails l

Dawn Flies the Flag

Actress and Falmouth University chancellor Dawn French is among 24 leading figures in the arts, education, communications and law, all portrayed wearing masks by photographer Joanna Vestey. Boasting an emblematic St Piran flag face mask, French sits alongside actress Juliet Stevenson, author Philip Pullman and artist Grayson Perry and his psychotherapist wife Philippa. The exhibition runs at the Stables Café, Blenheim Palace until December. All profits will help deliver a school-based programme of art as therapy. l

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