Brian Saynor, 74, back in saddle for marathon cycle trek

The 74-year-old from Stamford Bridge wants to raise funds to help repair the village’s swimming pool by completing the Way Of The Roses ride from Morecambe to Bridlington.

He is taking part in the ride at the end of August and beginning of September, riding on his own and in four stages, with a day off between each stage.

He will start the final day of his ride from Stamford Bridge Primary School soon after 9am on Tuesday, September 4, when he will be seen off by pupils on their first day back at school.

Mr Saynor, a retired York quantity surveyor, said he last cycled such distances as a teenager when he used to cycle from London to the coast and back but had got back into the sport in the last couple of years when he had gone touring the Wolds.

He said about £20,000 was needed for immediate repairs to the pool, but in the long run about £50,000 might be needed to improve the way the water is heated.

His wife, Hilary, a former East Riding of Yorkshire councillor, said the original pool had been built on the school site 30 years ago, motivated by the need for all local children to be able to swim in a village with a dangerous river running through it.

It provided swimming lessons for all primary aged children and was very well used by the wider community, swim schools and people from outside the village, including Dunnington and Wilberfoss.

She said that about seven months ago, older villagers started fundraising to help young parents who had kept the pool going, holding an afternoon tea party, book stalls and a summer lunch party.

• To sponsor Brian, go to BT My Donate online and click on donate to a charity and enter Stamford Bridge community pool into the search box. Alternatively, sponsorship cheques payable to STamford Bridge Primary School PACT may be sent to the school at Godwinsway, Stamford Bridge, or to Long House, Firs Garth Lane, Stamford Bridge, YO41 1BQ.