LASTING LEGACY CYCLE ROUTE FOR FESTIVAL

A LASTING legacy of the Tour of Britain’s visit to Wellington will be unveiled at the weekend in the form of a 17-mile cycle route onto the Blackdown Hills.

It is one of a series of cycle routes developed by the partnership which manages the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and will be officially launched on Sunday, September 5 in Wellington.

Nine days later, Tour of Britain riders will be racing through the town and over the Blackdown Hills in one of the cornerstone events forming the Wellington Experience Festival Fortnight.

The AONB partnership has invited vintage bike enthusiasts Taunton Tweed Cycle Chic club to formally open the new route by cycling part of it accompanied by Wellington Mayor Councillor Andy Govier.

The cycle club members wear tweed and ride a variety of different bicycles dating to the 1950s – and they also play the ukulele.

The new cycle route starts in South Street car park, Wellington, and finishes in Hemyock.

The opening, which will take place at 2 pm outside the Co-op in Fore Street, follows the Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride which passes through Wellington on the same day.

The charity ride follows the route which Tour of Britain riders will follow when they pass through Wellington in the South West stage of the race on September 14.

The riders will carry on over the Blackdown Hills through Hemyock and will make a second pass through Hemyock the following day, September 15.

AONB partnership chairman Paul Diviani said: “Naturally, the Tour of Britain riders will only get a fleeting glimpse of Wellington and the Blackdown Hills when they are racing.

“But others who try out our new permanent cycle route from Wellington to Hemyock, or any of our other routes, will be able to experience at their leisure the many sights and delights this wonderful area has to offer.

“It is fitting we use the scenario of the Prostate Cancer Tour Ride and Tour of Britain race to unveil this lasting cycling legacy.”

Councillor Andy Govier, said: “I am delighted that Wellington is going to be part of a new cycle route which will offer a pleasurable and healthy activity for many local people and should encourage more people to visit the town and in turn help to support our economy.”

Maps of the new cycle route will be available from the Wellington Community Office and can also be downloaded from the AONB partnership’s website at http://www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk.

The festival, arranged by Wellington Town Council which has invested £2,000 into the 15 day experience, is being staged around the Tour of Britain cycle race and is hoped boost visitor numbers

Starting with Wellington Food Town’s food and craft fair in the High Street on September 4, the festival includes a host of events including musical concerts, cycling activities, a family fun day, and the World Wellington Boot Throwing Competition on September 11.

It also includes the Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride on Sunday September 5, where cycling fans get to ride the same route as the professionals on stage 4 of the Tour of Britain Race which passes through the town just over a week later.

A cycling-themed window competition with great prizes including four day passes to Crealy Adventure Park has also been organised to mark the occasion.

There will also be circus and musical entertainment in the town centre during the festival arranged by local trader C9.

A programme listing all the events and activities taking place during the fortnight is now available from various outlets around the town including the Wellington Town Council office and Wellington Community Office.

For more information contact Wellington Town Council office by email on info@wellingtontowncouncil.co.uk or by telephoning 662855 or call into the office at 28 Fore Street between 9.30am and 12.30pm Monday to Friday.

 

Pic – Taunton Tweed Cycling Chic group will officially launch the new cycle route from Wellington into Blackdown Hills.

 

Notes to editors: Contact Assistant Clerk Julia Thorne at Wellington Town Council or by email at julia@wellingtontowncouncil.co.uk or by telephoning 662855 or writing to Wellington Town Council, 28 Fore Street, Wellington TA21 8AQ.