Cycling
Mayor lights up Tudor Grange Park

Buy photos » Solihull Mayor Coun Ken Hawkins officially launched the new lights at Tudor Grange Park. (s)

THE MAYOR of Solihull, Coun Ken Hawkins, was on hand to officially launch the latest addition to Tudor Grange Park, new lighting facilities.

The cycling circuit was opened in 2008 and is home to Solihull Cycling Club who use the venue to host nationally recognised races throughout the year and on a weekly basis for training its talented youth riders.

For Solihull CC the story behind the project is also quite poignant as half of the £120,000 required was funded by the Sport England Inspired Facilities fund whilst the remainder came from the estate of club member Bob Maitland who sadly passed away aged 86.

Bob won an Olympic silver medal at the 1948 London Games and in 1955 competed in the Tour de France in the first ever British National team to take part in the race. He left his estate to British Cycling and it was from there that the additional £60,000 was found.

For club members old and young, it feels only appropriate that Bob’s legacy has gone full circle and is now directly benefiting his old club and its hundreds of young riders who use the facility on a weekly basis.

A large black and white poster of Bob, in full flight at Herne Hill Velodrome, was prepared by the club and was present at opening ceremony, alongside the Mayor, representatives from Solihull Council, Sport England and the appreciative young riders that represent the future of Solihull CC.

The club is undergoing a surge in membership since the circuit opened with numerous coaches giving their valuable time to inspire riders, from the six-year-olds entering the Go-Ride program for the first time to the National Youth, Junior Champions and Olympic Development riders who represent the club today.

For more on your local cycling club go to www.solihullcc.org.uk.

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