TO celebrate the opening of its new shop in Skipton, Chevin Cycles is offering two free tickets to the prestigious opening ceremony for this year's Tour de France.

The Tour de France 2014 Opening Ceremony and Team Presentation will see the biggest stars from the world of cycling grace the stage as part of a spectacular live entertainment event being held at Leeds Arena on July 3, just two days before the Tour’s Yorkshire Grand Départ gets under way. Doors open at 5pm.

Chevin Cycles, which has been based in Otley for 30 years, opened a new store at 11 High Street, Skipton, six weeks ago and just two weeks ago opened another shop in Harrogate.

"Cycling is at the forefront of everybody's mind and to build our links in Skipton, we wanted to give something back," said company director Sanjai Bhatia.

The tickets, valued at £65 each, will give the lucky winner of this competition the chance to see defending champion Chris Froome and sprint sensation Mark Cavendish, who will be among top cycling stars to greet the crowd.

Yorkshire band Embrace will headline the event, and Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh will join York singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin on stage to perform The Road – the official anthem of Yorkshire's Grand Départ 2014.

Sanjai said: "Opening our new store has created for new jobs in the Skipton area. We really want to get behind the local cycling scene. We'd like people to go to our store for cycling advice and support. We have a workshop and offer a wide range of mountain, road and children's bikes."

To enter the competition, answer the following question: "Where is the Tour de France 2014 Opening Ceremony being held?" and return this coupon to the Craven Herald, 38 High Street, Skipton, BD23 IJU.

For more information about Chevin Cycles, visit chevincycles.com

Organisers of Tour de France celebration Velofest are inviting festival-goers to make history by taking part in ‘Yorkshire’s Biggest Charitea Party’.

The three-day event at Kilnsey Park Estate, near Grassington, is expected to be one of the most popular places to watch the Yorkshire Grand Départ, and in celebration of one of the county’s most loved traditions organisers have teamed up with partner charity Yorkshire Cancer Research to hold an afternoon tea with a difference.

Those who attend the festival on Sunday, July 6, will be able to enjoy a good cup of tea, kindly supplied by Clipper, a slice of cake and a variety of entertainment along with Alice in Wonderland characters the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and the White Rabbit.

All money raised from the event will go towards improving cancer outcomes across Yorkshire.

Michelle Foulks, community fundraiser at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “We’re really excited to be hosting the hugest, craziest tea party Yorkshire’s ever seen! We hope everyone attending Velofest will take a break from the cycling, join in the fun and help us raise as much money as possible for our vital research projects.”

Tom Hawkins, VeloFest event director, said: “We are delighted that Yorkshire Cancer Research is the official charity partner for Velofest. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the Yorkshire countryside and experience a once-in-a-lifetime sporting event whilst enjoying a tea party with a twist.”

‘Yorkshire’s Biggest Charitea Party’ will take place at 2pm. You can purchase an early bird wristband, which guarantees entry to the tea party and refreshments, for just £3.50. Family tickets are available for £9.95 each (2 adults, 2 children). You must have a Velofest ticket to enter the tea party. To sign up, visit www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/cycling.

Yorkshire tea party record at Kilnsey Tour de France event

VeloFest has partnered with Yorkshire Cancer Research to break the record for the largest tea party.

The VeloFest event will take place from July 3-6 (Thursday to Sunday) at Kilnsey Park Estate, near Grassington. The event is expected to be one of the most popular places to watch the 2014 Yorkshire Grand Depart, with up to 10,000 visitors expected. The family festival will include cycling trade stands, a Savage Skills stunt show, giant screens showing the race and live music.

On the Sunday from 2pm, the VeloFest Tea Party will have an Alice in Wonderland theme. The Mad Hatter, The white rabbit and the Queen of Hearts will be making guest appearances, making the event very family friendly, especially as there will be various entertainments held throughout the course of the day, with the tea kindly being supplied by Clipper.

Tom Hawkins, VeloFest event director, said: “We are delighted to announce Yorkshire Cancer Research as the official charity partner for Velofest. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the Yorkshire countryside, experience a once-in-a-lifetime sporting event whilst enjoying a tea party with a twist.”

Andy Pierce, events manager at Yorkshire Cancer Research, added: “It will be tea and scones all round as we invite hundreds of people to join our record-breaking attempt. It will be a fantastic day and a great opportunity to spread the word about who we are and what we do, as well as helping us to promote our own cycling event, The Dales Rider, which will take place later in the year.”

The ladies of the Dales and Bronte Group of Farm Stay UK have wheeled in £1,000 for charity by staging a Yorkshire Champagne afternoon tea with a dual White Rose and Tour De France theme.

Over 70 people attended the sell-out event at Crown Cottage Farm in Pasture Road, Embsay, hosted by Liz and Karl Gudgeon, who are members of the national on-farm accommodation providers’ group. (Wed, June 11).

A farm building was converted into an indoor marquee, complete with bunting and mini Tour De France jerseys – 190 in total, all hand-crafted by Liz’s mother Christine Clarkson, of Carleton, and members of her “knit and natter” ladies group.

On the menu ahead of Yorkshire’s Grand Depart next month - the Leeds to Harrogate stage on July 5 passes through nearby Skipton - was an afternoon tea comprising traditional sandwiches and scones, along with Paris-Brest and curd tart, and other goodies.

Proceeds are in aid of the Addington Fund, a national aid organisation that helps maintain the economic and social fabric of UK farming communities. Farm Stay’s Dales and Bronte Group has raised thousands of pounds for Addington through charity fund-raisers over the years.

Ian Bell, director of the Addington Fund, said: “Every penny raised will again be used to support Yorkshire farming families. Our thanks go to the Farm Stay Dales and Bronte Group ladies and to all who supported the event.”

Liz Gudgeon added her own thanks to all helpers and attendees. She said that some of the mini Tour De France jerseys would be donated to Embsay-with-Eastby Pre-School Playgroup, with others remaining available to buy to help further boost the charity kitty.

Crown Cottage Farm, which has three letting bedrooms, is an Enjoy England Breakfast Award winner. It runs a small flock of Herdwick sheep and free-range hens that supply eggs for breakfast.

ENDS

Pic caption: Pictured with some of the guests at the Crown Cottage Farm charity afternoon team are, standing from left, Farm Stay ladies Edith Thwaite, of The Lodge, Horton-in-Craven, Lisa Preston, of Pickersgill Manor Farm, Silsden, host Liz Gudgeon, and Diane Elphinstone, of Crooklands Farm, Clapham.

For further local info, contact Robin Moule, Moule Media on 01756 794027, or Liz Gudgeon on 01756 79461, mob 07966 912210.