On Saturday 28 June, with just one week to go until the Tour de France comes through Rochdale Borough, Toad Lane will celebrate all things cycling. Families and cycle enthusiasts are invited to a Tour de France Countdown Party, hosted jointly by Rochdale Pioneers Museum, the Baum pub and St Mary in the Baum Church.
There will be Tour de France themed guest ales at the Baum and a cycle challenge at the Rochdale Pioneers Museum. The Toad Lane Museum will also offer the chance to play Tour de France four in a row, design a cycling jersey and make a commemorative keyring, badge or magnet to take home.
Cycle enthusiasts can take a guided tour of the museum’s Co-operation on Wheels exhibition and at noon the Mayor of Rochdale, Cllr Carol Wardle, will attend the unveiling a cycling themed kinetic sculpture, made by young people from Rochdale Youth Service and Sparth Community Centre.
Rochdale’s ‘hidden gem’, St Mary in the Baum Church, will also open its doors. It is the only church designed by Sir John Ninian Comper, one of the last great gothic revival architects, in the North of England. Tea and coffee will be served in the church.
Museum manager Jenny Mabbott said: “The Tour de France coming through Rochdale Borough is incredibly exciting and we wanted to do something to celebrate. We spoke to our Toad Lane neighbours and the idea for the Countdown Party was born. We would love to see lots of families and cycling enthusiast attend and have invited local cycling clubs to organise a group ride to the event.”
• The event will run between 11am and 3pm. For more information see the museum’s website.
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