Community comes together for event

VILLAGERS IN Ackworth showed off the pride they have in their community when the women’s race of the Tour de Yorkshire whizzed through.

Three months of hard work had gone into decorating the village to welcome the riders.

Blue and yellow bunting, sponsored by businesses and put together by Ackworth Needles and Pins and members of the community, lined the route.

And at Moor Top roundabout, wooden bicycles decorated by primary school children had pride of place, as riders got their first glimpse of the village.

Darren Darley, who watched with his son Daniel and wife Adele, said: “It was pretty awesome, really exciting. The community has come together and made Ackworth amazing.”

Paul Kelly, Peter Hanby and Malcolm Halstead likened the event to the Olympic torch relay, with the community atmosphere.

Celebrations focused around Carr Bridge Pavilion, where a big screen was showing the race live.

Hundreds cheered, waved flags and clapped as the female riders flew past just before 10.30am, many wearing yellow.

Wendy Cooper and Jude Doyle were one of a handful of those sporting a custom-designed Tour de Yorkshire Ackworth T-shirts, created by the Needles and Pins group.

Several groups ran stalls to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Lee Bayley, store manager at Ackworth Co-op, said: “The village looks immense. It’s a really proud feeling.”

More than 300 pupils from Ackworth Mill Dam School joined the crowds. They had decorated a bike with pictures symbolising Yorkshire.

Rob West, assistant head teacher, said: “The atmosphere has been brilliant. The children have been really excited and are feeling really proud to be from Yorkshire and part of Ackworth.”

It was the third time the district has welcomed the tour.