Olympic fever takes hold in Ryedale (From York Press)

Olympic fever takes hold in Ryedale

8:07am Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Ryedale news By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

WORKSHOPS are being held to make banners welcoming the Olympic torch to Ryedale.

A series of 20 workshops, organised by Rural Arts North Yorkshire and funded by Ryedale District Council, are being held to make banners to be displayed along the route when the Olympic Torch comes to Pickering on June 18.

Yvette Turnbull, creative economy officer for Ryedale District Council said: “These workshops aren’t just fun for everybody taking part; the banners will belong to the groups that have made them which means they will all have a lasting legacy of this once in a lifetime event.

“The torch relay is being streamed live on the BBC, so the whole world will be able to see the welcoming messages from Ryedale’s community groups.”

Meanwhile, Olympic fever has also seized seven North Yorkshire primary schools as they plan an event to rival the event in London.

Schools in the Esk Valley Learning network, including Egton, Danby and Goathland, will stage their own Olympics on July 5 at Danby Moors Centre.

It will start with an elaborate, official opening ceremony conducted by Olympian Danny Nightingale and including a dancing, drumming and singing extravaganza by 240 children.

Sporting events will run throughout the day, with children competing in 12 teams from around the world.

There will also be a torch relay between the schools on World Sport’s Day, Monday June 25.