Southwold promises to get Stage 1 of the Aviva Women’s Tour on Wednesday 15th June off to a flying start, and staff and pupils at Saint Felix School are very excited to be taking part in the opening celebrations.
Students Anton Perez Vilarino and Joseph Drake, both aged 15, will be taking part in the pre-race ride-out. Accompanied by Melanie Westlake, science and mathematics teacher at the school, they will be cycling the short distance from the Pier to East Green ahead of the main race which begins at 10am. Mrs Westlake is an experienced cyclist who also rides with the Sole Bay Cycle Sport Club based in Southwold, and has qualified for the UCI Masters Grand Fondo World Championships in her age group. Joseph Drake is a member of the Rock Estate Cycling Club and also sails laser class dinghy as part of the GB Pathway T1 Squad.
Following the excitement of pupils’ participation in the ride-out, more pupils will be ready and waiting outside the school to line the route for the full race which will speed past them on Halesworth Road shortly after 10am. Over the past few weeks, a team of Sixth Form students led by Art and Textiles teacher Susie Yates have created a magnificent sculpture incorporating the twin themes of cycling and the area’s maritime heritage. Constructed from its base of an upturned bicycle, the 2m tall sculpture includes a ship’s wheel (part of the Saint Felix logo), as well as a replica galleon, as seen at the Battle of Sole Bay, and indeed in the logo of sponsor Adnams.
Sixth Formers Elisabeth Kiko, Rosie Lawrence, Sophie Webb and Tommy Xie have spent hours creating the sculpture with a variety of materials including papier mache over a wire frame and acrylic paint and a hand-painted banner which will be displayed outside the school to ensure that all passing riders can see the school’s enthusiasm and support.
Images for both activities will be available at approximately 11am on Wednesday 15th June.