Tour of Britain International Cycle Race 2008 is passing through the picturesque Village of Exford for the second time!
The Tour of Britain is the UK’s leading professional cycle race and the nation’s biggest live spectator event. Sixteen teams of six riders take on eight stages of racing across Britain. The overall winner will take the coveted yellow jersey with the fastest cumulative time as he crosses the finish line. The South West stage of the Tour covers 185km, with 48km being on Exmoor, and it will happen in a place near you on Tuesday, 9th September 2008.
The riders will start in Chard and travel through Tiverton to South Molton and North Molton. They will then ride through Exmoor National Park, passing through the villages of Withypool, Exford, Wheddon Cross, Timberscombe and Dunster before traversing the Quantock Hills. Heading on to the north of Somerset, the riders will then travel through the flatter parts of the county and the town of Bridgwater before seeing the finish line on Marine Drive in Burnham-on-Sea. The South West stage of the race promises to be the toughest and will again draw a national audience.
The following activities will be happening in Exford on the 9th September for the Tour of Britain. The activities will run from 10am to 4pm.
- A Falconry Display
- Exmoor National Park Ranger will be doing activities with Exford School on the Green
- Flags of the Nationalities of each of the teams will be displayed throughout the village along with bunting
- Ian Rigby will be playing music and doing commentary on the race by a PA system
- Exmoor Pony Society will be having two Exmoor Ponies on the Green
There will be two craft marquees on the day with the following stands
- Exmoor Horns
- Hampers
- Plant Stall
- Jams
- Cards / Cushions
- Wood Working
- Patchwork quilts etc
- Cakes and Fudge
- Handmade Jewellery
- Bird Photos
- Paintings
- Handmade shepherds crooks
There will be A BBQ with locally made sausages and burgers in aid of the school and a separate stand offering locally made pheasant and venison burgers also made locally.
There will also be a raffle to raise funds for the school.
The village will be running a photographic competition to be judged by Pete Hendrie and Tim Greenland.
Hopefully, there will also be a few other fun activities on the day like skittles, bale throwing, egg and spoon racing.