Fabulous flags and tremendous trophies created for this year’s Tour of Britain cycle race were showcased in Ryde at the weekend.
Thanks to the support of Appley Day organisers, the Isle of Wight Council, Ryde Town Council, Ryde Rowing Club and New Carnival CIC were able to exhibit some of the work which was set to feature at last month’s event.
The final stage of the 92.6-mile tour was due to start in Ryde and finish at The Needles but was unfortunately cancelled following the sad death of Her Late Majesty The Queen.
Special prize-giving ceremony
Appley Day gave young people involved in the competitions, the creation of costumes, flags and artwork an opportunity to showcase their achievements with family and friends at a special prize-giving ceremony at Ryde Rowing Club.
Among the prizes to be presented by the Mayor of Ryde, Cllr Michael Lilley, was the winner of the primary school design a flag competition.
Brooklyn named the top designer
Nine primary schools took part with Brooklyn, from Oakfield Primary School, Ryde, named the top designer by a panel of judges. Brooklyn’s design was sent off to be professionally made in preparation for the start of the race.
The winner of the Tour of Britain trophy design competition for secondary schools was also announced on Saturday.
Competition to design and build a trophy
Ross Edmunds, the council’s active travel officer, invited all Island secondary schools to take part in the competition to design and build a trophy for the overall winning team of this year’s event.
Four schools submitted entries with Ella Renouf from Medina College being named the winner by well-known TV presenter, Matt Barbet, in a pre-recorded video message.
Barbet: Everyone did fantastically well
Matt, who presented ITV4’s live coverage of the race, said,
“Ella’s design is absolutely outstanding. I love the mix of the old and the new, including a piece of the original Ryde Pier in there and the colours representing the Tour of Britain.
“Everyone did fantastically well, but for me that is the winner — many congratulations to you and everyone at Medina College.”
Also on display during the day was ‘Ballan the Fish’ — a travelling sculpture mounted on a bicycle created by New Carnival in collaboration with Ryde Town Council, which was set to be the local mascot of the race.
Ballan wrasse are commonly found in the Solent waters.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
