Nottinghamshire youngsters’ joy at winning SCAPE’s sponsored Tour of Britain competition

Two talented pupils from Nottinghamshire have told of their excitement at winning two competitions sponsored by SCAPE and Arc Partnership. Robyn Thurgood, aged 10 and a pupil at Costock C of E Primary School in East Leake, and Emilia Wood, aged nine and a pupil at Birklands Primary School in Market Worksop, both won creative competitions developed to celebrate the Tour of Britain returning to the area.

The two competitions were featured in a 25-page School Resource Pack, which was sponsored by SCAPE and Arc. It encouraged young people and schools to get involved in the UK’s biggest cycling event ahead of it arriving in Nottinghamshire.

The 116-mile Nottinghamshire stage took place on Thursday, 8 September, starting at West Bridgford before finishing in Mansfield.

Robyn won Nottinghamshire County Council’s Design the Winning Trophy Competition and was invited to join the presentation ceremony in Mansfield. She watched on as stage five winner, Belgian rider Jordi Meeus, of the BORA – Hansgrohe team, received the trophy she had designed.

Delighted, Robyn said: “I was nervous and happy when I went on stage for the presentation. It’s been very exciting. It’s been one of the best days of my life. You don’t get to do something like this every single day of your life. I have never won anything like this, either, so I was really excited and shocked when I found out I had won because I didn’t think I would win.”

Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Communities at Nottinghamshire County Council, added: “What a fantastic experience for Robyn to be on stage when the winning trophy was presented to the winner. I can’t imagine how proud her mum must have felt watching on during the presentation ceremony. It will be a day they will never forget, and I would like to congratulate Robyn on winning the competition – something she thoroughly deserved.”

Robyn won a replica of the trophy she designed, as well as VIP tickets to the finish of the race and a family adventure golf ticket at Rufford Abbey.

Meanwhile, Emilia was the lucky winner of the council’s Design the Starting Flag Competition, which saw her wave off some of the world’s most famous cyclists at West Bridgford using the flag she designed.

Emilia’s school held a special assembly on the day so that her friends and teachers could watch her moment of glory live on television.

She said: “It was exciting to wave the flag for the start of the race, especially being able to watch all the riders. I was very proud to wave the flag because it was my own design, and it was great to see how it had been made.”

Creative Emilia won the competition after a public vote across the county council’s social media platforms, before Councillor John Cottee chose a winner from a shortlist of six.

He said: “The quality of entries for the competition was fantastic, and it was extremely difficult for me to select a winner from the shortlist, but Emilia’s entry stood out from the rest with her eye-catching design. It must have been an extremely proud moment for her family watching on as she officially started the stage in West Bridgford and something they and Emilia will remember for the rest of their lives.”

As well as officially starting the race, lucky Emilia will also keep her professionally made flag, and will receive a special invitation for her and her class to visit one of the Notts Outdoors day centres to take part in an environmental education activity. Emilia has also won a special Robin Hood-themed tour of the iconic Sherwood Forest.