Cycling tour returns with competition in schools

Head teacher Graeme Genty and pupils at St Chad's Primary School in Hove Edge on their bikes

Nearly £7,000 has been awarded to voluntary groups to help them stage an unforgettable array of events to celebrate the Tour coming to Calderdale.

St Chad’s CE Primary School in Hove Edge was one of the successful applicants and was awarded £1,640.

The Tour de ECLC 2015 includes students, teachers and parents from 21 schools in the East Calderdale Learning Community, who will cycle around each of the schools, take part in activities and learn about healthy lifestyles.

St Chad’s head teacher Graeme Genty was delighted to receive funding from Calderdale Council towards the Tour de ECLC.

He said: “It’s fantastic because it’s allowed us to bring people in that will add the real ‘wow’ factor and inspire the children.”

Pupils from schools in the East Calderdale Learning Community will come together to battle it out in track races, circuit races and through obstacles to try and win ECLC Tour de Yorkshire medals.

The competition follows on from the successful Tour de ECLC last year, which came about after schools were keen to get involved with the celebrations for the Tour de France and accompanying cultural festival.

As part of the celebration event a Peloton Tour will also take place. Teachers, head teachers and support staff will cycle to schools in the ECLC on Friday, May 1, and spend time at each school undertaking an activity with the pupils.

Last year’s Tour de ECLC saw some amazing welcomes for the riders to the schools and they got involved in a wide variety of activities including dancing, sport, art and singing.

Calderdale Council’s Head of Learning Services, David Whalley, said: “The Tour de ECLC will be a fun couple of days for those involved and a fantastic way for schools within the East Calderdale Learning Community to get involved and feel a part of the celebrations. It’s hoped that the competition will become an annual event. It will be fantastic to see so many pupils enjoying cycling and being inspired by both the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire coming to Calderdale.”