Duchess celebrates community spirit on county visit
A county's "unique history and creative energy" have been celebrated during a whistle-stop royal visit.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh began a busy day of engagements at Northampton Bike Park, seeing the positive impact the development has had on the local community since it opened in 2022.
The park was given a £250,000 investment from Sport England on behalf of the Places to Ride programme.
Chris Holmes, chief executive of Northamptonshire Sport, said: "It was a real honour to welcome Her Royal Highness and to share the story of what has been a truly community-powered project."
"This space has been created by and for local people, with the support of national partners to provide a fun, safe and inclusive place for everyone to ride," he said.
The duchess met volunteers, local authority representatives and board members from Northamptonshire Sport - and spoke to pupils from Boothville Primary School.
Local riders performed a mountain bike skills demonstration and concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.
Nick Barr, head of participation at British Cycling, one of the funders of the bike park, said the long term goal of the facility was to achieve a "healthier, happier nation".
"Enabling more young people and riders from diverse backgrounds to access the full breadth of the cycling disciplines is central to our long-term strategy," he said.
During the duchess' visit to the county, she also marked the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton and was presented with fire-themed artwork from local schoolchildren at the town's Market Square.
She visited areas of the town centre linked to the fire's history, including All Saints Church. The duchess learned about its role in the town's recovery - and the connection to the annual Oak Apple Day commemorations.
"This was a truly special day for West Northamptonshire, shining a spotlight on our county's unique history, creative energy," James Saunders Watson Esq, Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, said.
The duchess also met girls from Northampton School rugby team to acknowledge the Women's Rugby World Cup coming to West Northamptonshire this summer.
The visit ended at Northampton's historic Guildhall, where the duchess joined community, heritage and voluntary organisations.
Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Events planned to mark 350 years since Great Fire
Cycles donated to Tour of Britain town's bike park
Important to mark town's Great Fire - Earl Spencer
West Northamptonshire Council
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Scotland 'door not closed' on players who miss out on World Cup
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson says he will not close the door on international rugby for those players who miss out on his squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup. Easson has named a 38-player training squad prior to the tournament in England this summer. Advertisement Among those to miss out was experienced lock Louise McMillan, who said in an Instagram post: "There was a slow dawning that despite injuries in my position, I wouldn't be recalled, confirming the painful truth that my journey with this coaching team was nearing its end. My World Cup dream, my professional contract, slipped from my grasp." Easson says there will always be tough decisions on who to leave out of the World Cup squad, but that it need not signal an end of Test careers. "These selections are very, very difficult," Easson told BBC Scotland. "But to leave out players now actually shows the strength of Scotland women's rugby. So some players who do have a legacy, some players who do have given a lot to Scotland women's rugby over the years, will miss out and it's always tough. Advertisement "But the door's never closed for those players. It's just a moment in time, it's a selection that we have to make, it's a selection that we believe at this moment in time is right. "No matter who they are, if they're playing well, they'll be the ones that are selected and that's how we have to push this team forward and that's how you get better performances on the field."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Duchess celebrates community spirit on county visit
A county's "unique history and creative energy" have been celebrated during a whistle-stop royal visit. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh began a busy day of engagements at Northampton Bike Park, seeing the positive impact the development has had on the local community since it opened in 2022. The park was given a £250,000 investment from Sport England on behalf of the Places to Ride programme. Chris Holmes, chief executive of Northamptonshire Sport, said: "It was a real honour to welcome Her Royal Highness and to share the story of what has been a truly community-powered project." "This space has been created by and for local people, with the support of national partners to provide a fun, safe and inclusive place for everyone to ride," he said. The duchess met volunteers, local authority representatives and board members from Northamptonshire Sport - and spoke to pupils from Boothville Primary School. Local riders performed a mountain bike skills demonstration and concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. Nick Barr, head of participation at British Cycling, one of the funders of the bike park, said the long term goal of the facility was to achieve a "healthier, happier nation". "Enabling more young people and riders from diverse backgrounds to access the full breadth of the cycling disciplines is central to our long-term strategy," he said. During the duchess' visit to the county, she also marked the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton and was presented with fire-themed artwork from local schoolchildren at the town's Market Square. She visited areas of the town centre linked to the fire's history, including All Saints Church. The duchess learned about its role in the town's recovery - and the connection to the annual Oak Apple Day commemorations. "This was a truly special day for West Northamptonshire, shining a spotlight on our county's unique history, creative energy," James Saunders Watson Esq, Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, said. The duchess also met girls from Northampton School rugby team to acknowledge the Women's Rugby World Cup coming to West Northamptonshire this summer. The visit ended at Northampton's historic Guildhall, where the duchess joined community, heritage and voluntary organisations. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Events planned to mark 350 years since Great Fire Cycles donated to Tour of Britain town's bike park Important to mark town's Great Fire - Earl Spencer West Northamptonshire Council
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Yahoo
Scotland to face Italy in World Cup warm-up
Scotland will face Italy this summer as part of their preparations for the Women's Rugby World Cup. Bryan Easson's side begin their summer Test series away to the Italians in Viadana on Friday 25 July before facing Ireland at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Saturday 2 August. Advertisement Head coach Easson says the warm-up matches will be "key in sharpening our focus and ensuring we're in the best shape possible" for the World Cup in England. Scotland open their World Cup campaign against Wales on 23 August and also take on Fiji and Canada in Group B.
