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The voice of Hillam village. founded 1989 by Mary Little. Delivered free to all homes in Hillam. Volume 27 Issue 4. AUG—Sept 2014
Local cyclists in tour de france
The new bridge and the Grand depart In this issue we complete the story from January about the bridge on Lumby Lane, Monk Fryston. The bridge was opened on 30 June by Nigel Adams MP in front of a very select group of residents and an eager group of cyclists lined up for the Grand Depart, Monk Fryston style. Nigel said that it was the first time that he had opened a bridge. Given that it has taken about 18 months from the emergency closure to the re-opening this is perhaps not very surprising.
The Tour de France and the Grand Depart from Yorkshire has made its mark on the sport. But did you know that Monk Fryston cycling club has an annual trip to try their legs on some of the most revered “Tour” sections in the Alps. This account from one of our local cyclists is an inspiration to us all and should help to raise our local cycling ambitions! “On the 19th of June 2014, Monk Fryston Cycling Club embarked on a five day Tour de France of their own, and I was lucky enough to be a part of the 17 strong group. The now annual event aims to take in some of the most revered Tour hill climb stages in cycling folklore, along with the beautiful alpine scenery and the odd bière! Traveling first by air then train, our base was the quaint Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, ideally located in the French Dauphiné Alps close to many of the gruelling mountain passes Le Tour blesses. Day one of the proposed three day itinerary involved a short, flat ride to the foot of the Col du Télégraphe, from this point the gradient was distinctly uphill. This 1016 metre climb connects Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne and Valloire and acts as an access ramp to the Galibier pass via its north face.
The shiny galvanised parapets do not quite have the same charm as the original brick capped by stone. Additionally the height of the parapet is not popular with the trainspotters. Nevertheless the re-opening of the road is welcomed by most people and should relieve the traffic congestion at Battersby Roundabout. The bridge spans a busy 4 track railway which is used for freight and passenger services. The old bridge had to be dismantled and removed piece by piece with most of the work being done overnight with a 1000 ton crane brought into the village specially for the event. News of the bridge opening had been spread by Hillam News, who put it on facebook causing a local phenomena with 1807 people accessing the story in the space of two days. While not quite the Grand Depart that took place a week later it was a super way to mark the re-opening of our bridge.
Also in this issue… Birding column - more of a celebrity column than a birding article. Grand depart - inspirational, not a single cloth cap in sight. Cycling in Yorkshire will never be the same again. Sport-in-news - we won’t mention the football.
Continued on page 2.
Summer Fayre - Did it break the piggy bank. A Pimms tent, treasure trove and sheep race, what more could you want. Four more events - something to look forward to over summer. Broadband -“not spots” and go faster stripes. Some of us are still waiting but another £7M should help.
Meaning of life - Always something new to learn - Rhumba rhymes with Zumba. Gardens - Evergreen fingers Art Club - Has it gone to the dogs ? Cricket club - Family fun day, don’t miss it.
Issue editor - Howard Ferguson Hillam News is financed by advertising and the generosity of contributors, copiers and distributors. If you have an article for publication, please phone David Atkinson on 684577 or email dsa99uk@yahoo.co.uk Advertising enquiries to David Edwards on 682346 or exSite@talktalk.net
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