Sky’s the limit for Nottinghamshire creativity as county gears up to host Tour of Britain cycle race

With the biggest free-to-attend sporting event ever to come to Nottinghamshire just weeks away, residents, schools, landowners, community groups and businesses are being encouraged to help our county look at its very best by creating eye-catching land art or unusual displays ahead of the big race on 6 September.   Millions of viewers from across the world will be tuning in to the Tour of Britain race, so having land art along or near the route, will increase the chances of being spotted on TV coverage – particularly being picked out by helicopter TV cameras as the race winds its way through out county’s spectacular scenery, landmarks and sites of historical and literary significance.   Councillor Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said:   “There are so many ways people can get involved in this creative challenge to help celebrate the Tour of Britain coming through our county.   “The idea of land art is that people turn fields, hills, market squares and even car parks into unusual art displays that celebrate their local community and tell the story of Nottinghamshire.   “Land art doesn’t have to be anything too complicated or ambitious. It can as simple as using hay bales to spell out ‘Welcome to Notts’ or arrange into a shape or image which would look impressive when viewed from the sky.”   Other ideas for land art include:

• Mowing a giant shape/image into a hill or field
• Painting old, unwanted bikes yellow and putting them out on display  – which worked so well as part of the Tour de Yorkshire race
• Creating giant posters or banners on buildings along the route
• Colourful flower displays in the shape of a bicycle in gardens
• Getting inspiration from  Tour de France land art

  Councillor Cutts continued, “In Nottinghamshire we have lots of icons and which might spark an idea for a more ambitious display– as it doesn’t necessarily have to be cycling themed. It would also be an ideal way to remind the world why Nottinghamshire is so vital when it comes to sport, history and legends. “For example, there’s cricketer Harold Larwood, the Major Oak, the Bramley Apple, DH Lawrence, former world cycling champion Tommy Simpson, Mayflower Pilgrims, the English Civil War, and of course the most famous legend of them all, Robin Hood, all of which might feature as land art.   "It is a real coup to host an entire stage of this race, so it’s unique opportunity to promote the county of Nottinghamshire for tourism and inward investment."   "Remember the land art needs to be big enough to be seen from the air and if you are planning on creating something, please seek permission from the land owner of course."   "Don’t forget to share your photos of your creative displays and land art by tweeting #NottsTOB so your images can be included on our website and shared with the National Tour of Britain and TV organisers."   The route will take in 175 kilometres of the county’s roads on Wednesday 6 September. Starting in Mansfield, the riders will go to Hucknall before heading towards Worksop and riding through the magnificent Sherwood Forest.  After continuing north, competitors will then pass through Retford and Collingham before finishing in Newark.   For further details go to www.nottscc.gov.uk/tourofbritain.