Diocese of York / News & events / News

Churches across the Diocese of York will be offering hospitality to spectators during the Tour de Yorkshire.

For stage one of the Tour, on Friday 1st May, Bridlington Priory will be decorated with blue and yellow bunting up and a blue bike strapped to the railings. St Peter and St Paul, Pickering will be offering refreshments, and the church’s bells will be rung as the cyclists make their way through Pickering. Although St. Oswald's, Flamborough and St. Michael's, Bempton aren’t quite on the route itself, the churches will be open for anyone visiting for the Tour who wants to explore more of the surrounding area.

St John the Baptist, East Ayton is in a prime location for spectators, and will be decorated with bunting and cycles, and the church will be offering refreshments. St Mary and St Lawrence, Rosedale Abbey, is joining forces with the local school to offer drinks and cakes. In Egton, St Hilda’s church will be serving refreshments from the former Village Shop.

Stage two of the Tour begins on Saturday 2nd May at Selby Abbey. The Abbey is holding a “decorated bicycle” competition for children – bring an entry form (available at www.selbyabbey.org.uk) and a decorated bike to Selby Abbey on Friday 1st May between 2.30pm and 7pm, and the judging will take place on Saturday 2nd May.

In Beverley, the Minster has decorated the top of the towers with wheels for helicopters filming the race, and their bells will be ringing as the peloton passes. There will be a "Tour de Minster" for children, and Yorkshire snacks, blue ice cream and tea and coffee will be served. St Mary’s Beverley is holding a big barbeque, with a bouncy castle, face painting, craft and jewellery stalls, children's activities, and a teddy bear parachuting from the tower.

St Nicholas, Wetwang will be serving refreshments, and decorated with bunting and bicycles. St Michael and All Angels, Cherry Burton will be decorated with Tour de Yorkshire themed flowers, and serving refreshments. One mile away from the peloton’s route, St Peter and St Paul, Scrayingham will be open for refreshments, and there’s an opportunity to see the grave of George Hudson, ‘The Railways King’, in the churchyard.

Stage two of the Tour will end in York, and Holy Trinity Heworth will be offering refreshments in the churchyard, and to spectators on Stockton Lane. At St Chads on the Knavesmire, the church will be decorated with flags and bunting, refreshments will be served, and the church’s ‘Knit and Natter Group’ will be yarn bombing a ‘Yorkshire tree’.

The Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, Bishop of Selby said, “Our churches are at the heart of their communities, and I’m delighted that so many of them will be opening their doors and welcoming people during the Tour. It’s great that cyclists and spectators will be witnessing not only the best of Yorkshire’s beauty, but some of its hospitality as well! I’ll be getting on my bike to take part in the community ride around Selby before stage 2 of the Tour kicks off, and I hope the event inspires lots of people to get cycling too.”