The Essex Association of Change Ringers   President: The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford

The best cyclists in the world will be pedalling through parts of Uttlesford, Braintree, Chelmsford and Epping Forest this year following confirmation of the 2014 Tour de France route.

Le Tour will be coming to Essex on Monday 7th July 2014 for the third stage in the three-week race. The first two stages will take place in Yorkshire, beginning in Leeds on Saturday 5 July.

The third stage of Le Tour starts from Cambridge and then moves on to Essex before heading to London to finish on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace

The route enters Essex north of Saffron Walden, taking in parts of Uttlesford, Braintree, Chelmsford and Epping Forest, leaving the county through Epping en route to London.

With an anticipated worldwide audience of 3.5 billion what an excellent opportunity to show case ringing around our county. Essex towers near the route include Littlebury, Saffron Walden, Radwinter, Finchingfield, Wethersfield, Rayne, Felsted, Broomfield, Willingale, Bobbingworth, Woodford and Walthamstow. For a route map see here.

Please let me know if you are planning any ringing activity to coincide with the race as it passes through.

Vicki Chapman
Geneeral Secretary
(Saturday 15 February 2014)