The Tour de Yorkshire (TdY) 2017

Penistone TdY Launch Day - Saturday 1st April 2017.
Penistone's Tour de Yorkshire festivities were launched on by Penistone Mayor, Cllr Paul Hand-Davis, along with the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Andrew Millner, the public, press and others watching on. Children from St John’s Primary School joined in the fun by cycling up Church Street (road closed) from the Community Centre and cheering with the milling throng. The Mayor was not in the best of health, having suffered a road accident in London, but he did his best while wearing a neck-brace and walking with sticks. This began a month for local groups and individuals to plan events, activities and decorations ready for the big TdY day.

The focal point of the launch was a blue/yellow mock-up of a giant T-Shirt being attached to the 80-foot tower of Penistone Church by Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team. It only lasted one day before high winds caused it to tear at the bottom and it was brought down for repairs. It was soon repaired and put back, in plenty of good time for the big day. However, at some point its height was reduced and it was re-attached to the very top part of the tower with some bunting placed below it. A much larger banner (with a big hole for the clock face) was attached to Wortley church tower, again by Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team (26th April). On the Race Day, 30th April, Wortley's and Penistone's church bells rang out with great vigour for the race.

Bicycle Sculpture - Maundy Thursday 13th April 2017.
A steel sculpture by local artist Suze Crawshaw was affixed to the 'Penistone One' building overlooking St Mary's Street roundabout. Suze's work was created and constructed at no charge as her personal contribution towards Penistone's TdY celebrations. The steel had been paid for by a donation. The finished sculpture looks well and has been well-received by residents in the district. Much credit goes to Dransfield Properties for allowing it to be fixed to their building as a permanent feature. It is in exactly the right place to be visible through the arch of the T-P Trail bridge, when entering Penistone from Bridge Street (which is actually named after 'Penistone Bridge' at Bridge End).

One Week Before - Sunday 23rd April 2017.
Local cyclist Simon Tucker invited cyclists to join him in a Peloton for part of the TdY route: 'Okay ladies and gentlemen; listen up. How would you like to ride a section of the Tour De Yorkshire course and feel what it is like to be a part of the pro peloton? Well here is your chance.' Riders from Holmfirth Cycling Club congregated at the Blacksmiths Arms, Millhouse Green, and allowed non-members to join their peloton for part of the TdY course to Wortley. Upon completing their run, they continued to the 'Full Gas Bikes' shop at Fox Valley, Stocksbridge, for free hot drinks.

Penistone on TV - Wednesday 26th April 2017.
Sir Gary Verity of 'Welcome to Yorkshire' and the Tour de France Director, Christian Prudhomme, came to Penistone, where they met Mark Dransfield of Dransfield Properties, Penistone Town Mayor Cllr Paul Hand-Davis, assorted community organisers and children from St John's School. After a beer or two in the Old Crown, they (not the kids) went on to Wortley church to see the fantastic TdY banner. On Look North, Christian Prudhomme said: "The Grand Depart 2014 was the grandest Grand Depart ever. I have said before it is 'when not if' it comes to Yorkshire again. It is engrained in my heart."

By the way, to the thousands of media people reading this, please do not say: "The Tour de Yorkshire has come to Barnsley" or "Barnsley celebrates the Tour de Yorkshire" - Barnsley is not on the route and is too far away to be part of it (other than paying for field art with 'Barnsley' on it). It's nowt to do with them. What's more, it undermines our town's sense of identity and community to describe it as being 'in' a bigger town eight miles away.

The Community Pulls Together - Throughout April 2017.
For those of you reading this from outside our area, Penistone and the surrounding district went Tour de Yorkshire doo-lally this year, with entertainments, decorations and events planned for the big day. Many local shops, cafes, pubs and other businesses decorated up and opened on the Race Day. There were Yorkshire flags, banners and yellow/blue buntings a-plenty throughout the area, invoking the festival atmosphere. Some houses on the route were also decorated. Local schoolies and scouts made a great effort with TdY banners and decorations.

Race Day

The Tour de Yorkshire 2017 - Sunday 30th April 2017.
Sunday 30th April 2017 was Race Day of Stage 3 of the international Tour de Yorkshire bicycle race. Weather-wise, it was a mild if breezy day but generally overcast with occasional glimpses of sunshine. As the late morning progressed, Penistone came alive with music and festivities, supported by a very large number of people. We were fortunate that our area had been chosen as part of the route this year, as it passed us by previously. The finishing part of the Stage 3 route had been agreed to include our part of South Yorkshire, by Sir Gary Verity ('Welcome to Yorkshire' and race organiser) and local developer Mark Dransfield (Dransfield Properties). Dransfield Properties had helped regenerate Penistone's market area with the Markey Barn, car park and Tesco, before constructing the Fox Valley shopping centre.

The race started in Bradford at 12.30pm, to a countdown by the crowd. It passed through some scenic places, such as Skipton and Saltaire, and some less so, but the character of 'God's Own County' of Yorkshire shone through on TV, with its churches, stone-built town centres, drystone walls, patched-up roads, enthusiastic crowds and the many Yorkshire flags being waved. The race became perhaps more interesting to local people as it reached Huddersfield, Honley and Holmfirth, before entering South Yorkshire around 30 minutes later than expected. Riders would have been pedalling into a headwind from the south-east which might have been strong and gusty on the tops. Some of the roadside flags were rippling in the breeze. The race was being shown live on ITV4 and Eurosport.

As spectators, we had not the slightest idea of the progress of the race, who was in front or even when it might arrive in town. Even after waiting a long time standing in the same spot, the crowd was in high spirits. Some brave souls (Councillor Millner for one) would start up the cheers and Mexican waves. A rousing cheer would go up every time an amateur cyclist tootled past, to cries of "You're the FIRST!" and ripples of laughter. Even the Police motorbikes and support cars elicited wild cheers and waving. They usually smiled and waved back. Every loud cheer seemed to set off the bell ringers, who could not see what was happening outside the church tower.

At around 4.40pm, the riders passed through Millhouse Green and Thurlstone (spelt wrong on TV) and there were some good aerial views on TV. The field art created by Thurlstone Primary School received a special mention by the commentator and looked good. Some artistic camera work lingered too long on close-ups of a wheel nut or a rider's nose to let us see the Thurlstone public. We could not recognise them from their feet. The crowd at Bridge End fared better and was shown a couple of times. Unfortunately there was a collision between cyclists at Bridge End but there did not appear to be any injuries. A good many Police and other motorbikes had passed through before the riders finally arrived. Two very fast motorcycles preceded the lead bunch through the town centre. After the short but steep climb from Bridge End, the riders passed through Penistone town centre to an enthusiastic, flag-waving crowd and loud cheers. The lead riders were difficult to photograph with moving so quickly.

There were some good aerial views of Penistone Church and Penistone Viaduct on ITV4 but not much of the town centre crowd, as the cameras had diverted to the prang at Bridge End. TV adverts came on soon afterwards. After Penistone, Spring Vale and Oxspring, riders had the long climb of Thurgoland Bank, where Barnsley MBC had (very generously) paid for its name to be painted on an intricate field artworks. Wortley church was clearly shown on TV with its huge banner. Then the riders headed south to a tough stretch of four categorised climbs at Deepcar, Wigtwizzle, Ewden Height and Midhopestones. The finish line was at Fox Valley shopping area in Stocksbridge. Then on to the bike shop to quench their thirsts. The race over-ran the TV schedule and some TV recordings were cut off before it finished, denying the participating crowds a full replay of the complete race. The ITV4 highlight programme went straight from Silsden to Midhopestones after an ad break, cutting our section out. A planned Spitfire fly-past of Fox Valley was cancelled, according to Fox Valley Facebook, due to 'adverse weather conditions.'

The Race Route

The Stage 3 Tour de Yorkshire Route
Starting from Bradford at 12.30pm, the cycle race passed through: Fenay Bridge (Approx. 3.30pm, approx. 82 miles); Almondbury; Farnley Tyas; Honley; Brockholes; Holmfirth but not Holme Moss (3.50pm, 89 miles); Hade Edge; Millhouse Green, Thurlstone; Penistone Shrewsbury Rd. (4.10pm, 97miles); Spring Vale; Oxspring; Thurgoland; Wortley (4.20pm, 103 miles); Down Finkle Street; Green Moor; Down Underbank Lane; Stocksbridge (4.35pm, 108 miles); Deepcar; Bolsterstone; Wigtwizzle; Up Ewden Bank; Midhopestones (4.52pm, 117Miles); Up Mortimer Road To Cranberry Crossroads and down Underbank Lane Again. Finish Line is at Fox Valley shopping centre, Stocksbridge (around 5pm). Total distance is just over 122 miles (194.5 km). For race timings, see the TdY Graphic and, for our bit, see the graphic below. On the day, the race came through late.

 

TdY Festival Time in Penistone

Penistone town centre came alive on Race Day, with a very happy and jokey atmosphere and something for everyone. There was music everywhere, with Thurlstone Brass Band outside the Spar and rock bands outside the Spread Eagle, Old Crown, the Launderama and the bridge inn (no capitals in its name). Our surrounding places also had plenty of events to join in the TdY festival spirit (see below).

The town centre was criss-crossed by blue/yellow bunting and the crowd waved their TdY and Yorkshire flags. Music continued in the Market Barn after the race was a sweaty blur. Best of all - the entertainment was all free. There were drinks stalls, mini-bars and fast-food stalls (but not much vegetarian). It was in fact a belter of a day, with some of the largest crowds in the town centre since the days of Whitsuntide and peace parades. Watching the TV playback, I would say that we did as well, or better than, just about anywhere on the route, although Holmfirth put up a good show of crowds and bunting.

• Penistone Market Barn
  Various activities were billed, such as: Face-painting, Betty Chapelle's dance troupe, Penistone Theatre Group, family activities, Real Ale bar, food, music, DJ and trade stalls. Actually, the Barn was largely empty on the day, with more attractions outside the Barn. According to one source, BMBC was charging £75 for a Market Barn stall on Race Day, compared to the usual £10 on Market Days and £5 on Saturdays. A planned giant screen did not materialise, possibly for technical reasons.
• Behind 'The Loft' Coffee Shop (Tesco car park, three-hour section)
  Bicycle-based activities, skittles and football games. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue stall and Barnsley Cycling Club.
• Paramount Car Park
  Penistone Cricket Club, The Gateway Club, Scouts and Guides, charities, stalls and games, sponsored static bike ride by Penistone Scouts and fairground rides.
• Penistone Church
  Craft and artisan stalls, Real Ale bar, grab-bag food, cakes, music and a 'Have-a-Go' potter's wheel. There was a burst of the church bells following every loud cheer.
  
• Penistone Royal British Legion
  Pig Roast in the Beer Garden overlooking the race and hot meat sandwiches (nothing veggie). Amstel lager was specially provided at £2 a pint (and very good too). Live entertainment followed the race provided by Lindsay Dracass, who had been an entrant for the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest.
  
• Yoga Pavilion
  A tent outside the Market Barn with mini yoga classes (all ages and abilities) and yoga demonstrations. It looked busy too. Yoga Penistone is on the fifth floor of 18 Market Street.
• Penistone Leisure Centre
  They charged £2 admission to skate all day, Parking £3. On TV, we could see a crowd outside the venue. Pen L Centre.
• Cycle Penistone
  Advertised a Party Time at their bike centre next to the Trans-Pennine Trail. 'Come and join us on the day for a celebration of cycling and Yorkshire. We will have bikes for hire and sale, refreshments available, limited edition clothing and memorabilia.' Julie's Cafe was also open next door. Penistone CIC.

Unusually for a Sunday, many of the local cafés and shops were open, providing food, drink and further entertainment. Penistone FM broadcast from locations on the race route. A new shop opened for the first time on Race Day. This was 'Scrummy Scents with Love', next to Green Kleens, selling such as scented candles and some lovely bath-bombs.

Live Music on Race Day
Outdoor music stages were sited at the locations below.

Festivities in the District

Thurlstone:

• St Saviour's Churchyard - Community Picnic, stalls, refreshments and children's games organised by Thurlstone Community Group and the church.
• The Huntsman - Open noon, Barbecue 2pm, instead of the usual Sunday dinner. Burgers and sausage rolls. Some vegetarian options.
• Field Art - Thurlstone Primary School's artworks were prominent on ITV4's coverage and the commentator said they had done well.

Millhouse Green

• Millhouse Institute - Stalls and activities.

Spring Vale

• Spring Vale Methodist Church - Open all day for Tour de Yorkshire spectators to have refreshments or use toilets.

Oxspring:

• Waggon and Horses - Hog roast and barbecue in the beer garden. No Sunday dinners and possibly no vegetarian option. Rafters Bar also open.
• Oxspring Primary School - The school was open with crisps, soft drinks and sweets from 2pm.
• Gordon's Garden (Recreation ground) - Children at the maypole and other children's activities.
• St Aidan's Church - Hot drinks, cakes, bacon or sausage sandwiches and music performances.
• The Village Flagpole - The Yorkshire Flag was flying.

Thurgoland:

• Thurgoland School - Open for the race with television sets for the throng to watch the race.

Wortley:

• St Leonard's Church - Rang their newly-refurbished church bells in joyous celebration.
  - The huge banner on the church was well-televised on ITV4 and some waving children around the back were easy to see.

Local TdY Competitions

• TdY 'Best Dressed House' Competition
  Judging was on Sat 29th by Simon Tucker, local cyclist and lead rider of Holmfirth Cycling Club. The prize was an overnight stay at Staindrop Lodge, Chapeltown, by courtesy of Cubley Hall. And the winner is ... (drum roll and wait five seconds) .... Mell Abbott of 127 Manchester Road, Thurlstone. Well done, Mell.
• Thurlstone 'Design a Flag' Competition
  A competition for Thurlstone children was held to design flags with a Tour de Yorkshire theme for display on the Thurlstone route. Organised by Thurlstone Community Group.
• Best TdY Shop Window
  Clarke's Chemist was chosen as the best window display by Penistone Mayor Cllr Paul Hand-Davis on behalf of Penistone Town Council. Cafe Cremè came in second place and Adore gift shop was third choice. Most shops in Penistone made a good effort and it must have been a close result.

TdY Titbits

• The 7-foot flagstaffs used for the Yorkshire flags in Penistone had been made and varnished in preparation for 24th June's 'Grand Military Show' - Penistone AFD (Armed Forces Day).
• Barnsley Council paid £10,000 towards the Land Art and the British Arts Council £14,500, making £24,500 in total. The Land Art was painted on grass in a field at Thurgoland Bank and a small one at Spring Vale School, presumably both painted by unpaid volunteers. After splashing out on a few buckets of whitewash, what happened to the remaining £24,400?
• Cllr Paul Hand-Davis ( Penistone's retiring Mayor) said, at the PTC AGM, that he was proud of the effort that the local community had put into the event. He heard Sir Gary Verity mention Penistone's enthusiastic response twice on his Radio Sheffield interview, and it had been remarked at Fox Valley how our district had supported the race. The slogan had been 'Penistone Welcomes the Tour de Yorkshire' and we certainly did. He added that it showed how the local economy could benefit 'When we put our shoulders into it.' He said: 'We want it back'.
• At the same meeting, Cllr Graham Saunders said that, after some initial concerns that it might turn out to be a 'damp squib', it had been a great success and a real community effort. He said that BMBC had estimated the local crowd at between 9,000 and 10,000 people. All of the businesses that Graham visited said that they had done their best trading in years. An estimated £250,000 to £270,000 had come into the local economy as a result of the race.

Links

• 'Visit Penistone' TdY - Useful information for visitors, with travel, accommodation, food and drink, etc.
• 'Penistone Ont Tour' - A special Facebook page to post your local TdY events.
• TdY Event - This is a Facebook page to 'Register your Interest'.
• LeTour Yorkshire (Facebook) - The official TdY site. Good details about the route.
• Star Riders - Participants in the big race. Olympic Champion Ed Clancy was spotted riding through Bridge End.
• Cycling Weekly - Full List of Riders.
• Team Sky Bus - An interesting look at the facilities of the Sky bus, including instant frosted glass.
• Race Tracking - It might not work for Stage 3.
• Bicycle Racing - Some thoughts by Cllr Robert Barnard.
• Barnsley's TdY - Road closure details. Not much on there.
• Sorting Penistone - Free 'bike library' launch.