Tour de Yorkshire Festival of Fun in Beverley

Tens of thousands of people are expected to pack Beverley town centre for the start of the second Tour de Yorkshire on Friday, 29 April.

An action-packed programme of events has been arranged by East Riding of Yorkshire Council to create a festival atmosphere in and around Saturday Market all day.

The entertainment will be in full swing from 10am – almost two hours before the ceremonial start of the Tour at 11.50am from Toll Gavel  –  and will continue throughout the day with a range of activities and attractions.

Highlights include the presence of former World and Olympic cycling champion Rebecca Romero leading a children’s race before spending time meeting and greeting spectators. 

There will also be displays by a wide range of performers including stunt BMX-ers, a 120-strong choir and dancers and a fun mascot race featuring Hull KR’s Rufus the Robin and Hull FC’s Airlie Bird.

There will also be a big screen, outside Yorkshire Bank in Saturday Market, showing the remainder of the race, through to Settle, live when the riders leave Saturday Market.

There will be two park and ride facilities in operation, from Bishop Burton College on the A1079 west of Beverley and from Morrisons supermarket on the A164 to the south of Beverley. Buses will be running from the park and ride sites to the town centre from 9am on Friday, 29 April.

Thousands more spectators are expected to line the route as the race travels through parts of the East Riding after leaving Beverley town centre and the official start (at noon) near Beverley Racecourse.

After leaving Beverley, the race will pass through a number of settlements including Cherry Burton, Etton, South Dalton, Holme-on-the-Wolds, Middleton-on-the-Wolds, Market Weighton, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Foggathorpe, Harlthorpe and Bubwith before heading into North Yorkshire.

Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The inaugural race last year was a massive success and we’re expecting this year’s to be just as superb.

“We hope thousands of people will line the route to cheer the riders on and enjoy the spectacle. We have organised some excellent entertainment in Beverley town centre for the whole day and would encourage people to come along to soak up the atmosphere.

“The town council, Chamber of Trade, local businesses, residents, schools and community groups will be helping to turn the town blue and yellow and it should be quite a sight. 

“Beverley and the other parts of the East Riding on the route will be showcased in all their glory to a worldwide TV audience, which is brilliant exposure for our beautiful part of the world.

“We have been eagerly anticipating the second Tour de Yorkshire and it should be a fantastic and memorable occasion.”

Cllr Parnaby thanked everyone who has helped to make the event happen in East Yorkshire, including Beverley Town Council and other local councils, Beverley Chamber of Trade, Beverley Pasture Masters (for delaying bringing cattle onto the Westwood), and Bishop Burton College and Morrisons for supporting the park and ride operations.

There will be rolling road closures throughout the route. 

Motorists are advised to allow extra time for journeys in and around Beverley in particular as the town is likely to be extremely busy throughout the day, and to avoid unnecessary journeys by car or to use public transport where possible.

Signs have been erected along the race route and residents and spectators are reminded not to park on the route itself on the day.

Signs are also on display indicating that some marked parking spaces have also been suspended for the day of the race along the route and residents are thanked in advance for their support in keeping these clear.

For more details about the race route and timings in East Yorkshire, the programme of events on Friday, a spectator guide, park and ride details, road closures, bus services affected by the tour and other information, visit www.eastriding.gov.uk/tourdeyorkshire