A group of artists is starting work on a massive piece of land art at Sutton Bank, close to the route of the third stage of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire cycle race on Sunday May 1.
The land art, which has been commissioned by the North York Moors National Park Authority and Hambleton District Council, is being created on the Yorkshire Gliding Club’s airfield close to the famous Kilburn White Horse.
The 70-metre high, 40-metre wide artwork will highlight to the world the reason why ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ author and vet James Alfred Wight, known by his pen name James Herriot, declared the view from Sutton Bank to be “the finest in England”.
As the Landmark Collective of five artists, using white sports pitch marking biodegradable paint, get to work on the painting, images will be taken and shared on social media using the hashtags #TdY #Landart.
Richard Gunton, director of park services for the North York Moors National Park Authority comments: “The artwork’s location will flag up one of our finest landmarks as broadcasters track the cyclists’ progress up the Côte de Sutton Bank from the helicopters.
“The quirkiness of the design that fittingly, given the James Herriot connection, will mean there are some new animals joining the Kilburn White Horse, will show to the expected audience of six million viewers worldwide just how fantastic the scenery is in this part of the National Park.
“Over the next few days the actual design will become clearer and we’re inviting people to join in the fun on social media when we post the images of the artwork’s progress to guess what the end result will be.”
The National Park is also organising a cycling festival on the Sunday at its visitor centres at Sutton Bank and Danby.
As well as both National Park Centres having big screens showing live coverage of the race, spectators can enjoy a full day out with a host of family-friendly cycling related entertainment lined up and food on offer throughout Sunday.
At Sutton Bank, youngsters aged between four and 12 can take part in a fun time-trial from 10.30am with Sutton Bank Bikes, riding bikes around a short course with a practise lap and up to three further laps to record their fastest time. Prizes go to the best fancy dress and the fastest time.
While at The Moors National Park Centre at Danby, where celebrations will coincide with the ruby anniversary of the building opening as a visitor centre, there will be a circus skills workshop, pedal-powered Scalextric and a chance to try riding a penny farthing.
For more information look on www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/tourdeyorkshire