Royal launch for the UK's European City of Sport 2012

Posted 21 February 2012 at 00:00

His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester is to officially start Preston’s European City of Sport Celebrations for 2012, when he visits Preston on 23rd February. The visit is also part of the Royal Family’s tour of the UK to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Kicking off the celebrations at the city’s illustrious and famous football club, Preston North End, the Duke of Gloucester will meet people involved in organising the 100+ sporting events that will take place in Preston during 2012. These include the special Guild series running races and Guild Marathon.

Raising the European City of Sport flag at Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium, the Duke will then extend his visit to the city to tour Preston College’s new visual and performing arts building, and then on to the new nature reserve at Brockholes.

Welcoming His Royal Highness to the city, the Mayor of Preston Councillor Roberta Cartwright said:

“Preston is honoured to welcome His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester to the city to officially start our European City of Sport celebrations. His Royal Highness is no stranger to Preston having officially opened the award winning Avenham and Miller Park Pavilion, so he knows he will get a very warm and friendly welcome. We are proud of our sporting heritage and it is a fantastic achievement for Preston to be European City of Sport in Guild and Olympic year. 2012 will be a busy but exciting year for Preston.”

Peter Ridsdale – Chairman of Preston North End Football Club, added:

“Preston North End is uniquely linked and proud of our wonderful city. Everyone I meet talks fondly about Preston North End as a great football club and it is a tremendous asset for Preston. Our work in the heart of our community touches many lives and is invaluable and rewarding. It is fitting that Preston with such rich sporting traditions is European City of Sport in 2012 and I am delighted that the Duke of Gloucester is to officially start all these sporting events and celebrations at Preston North End Football Club.”

Dr Lis Smith, Principal at Preston College, said:

“At Preston College we have invested in the future of Preston with our new £5m visual and performing arts building which will help us provide skills and experience in the creative sector to the people of Preston. We are thrilled that His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester is able to visit the College and see the new facility for himself. Preston College plays a vital role in the local community and we are proud to be involved with both the European City of Sport and Preston’s Guild celebrations.”

Kath Knight from Brockholes Nature Reserve added:

“Brockholes is a pioneering and award-winning nature reserve on the banks of the River Ribble with easy access to the city and the North West. It has just won the prestigious Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers ‘New Build Project of the Year’ for its state-of-the-art floating visitor centre and it is a nationally important nature reserve where wildlife has flourished over the past five years. Hopefully this will prove an exciting and educational visit for His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester and we are delighted and honoured that he will be our guest.”

During his visit to Brockholes, the Duke of Gloucester will find out more about the new Preston Guild Wheel, a cycleway and walkway encircling the city which has been achieved thanks to £2.7m investment from numerous public and private partners, including nearly £2m from Lancashire County Council.

County Councillor Michael Green, Lancashire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Environment and Planning, said:

“We are very excited to be able to show His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester part of the Preston Guild Wheel cycleway. Spanning over 21 miles around the whole city, the Guild Wheel is one of the largest cycling projects in the country. When it opens later this year, the Guild Wheel will offer residents and visitors the opportunity to travel sustainably for work and leisure, whilst gaining substantial health benefits. It will become a lasting legacy of Preston Guild 2012.”

Background information

• The designation of UK European City of Sport is awarded by the European Capital of Sport Association (ACES). ACES has five main objectives:
  • Enjoying exercise
  • Experiencing community
  • Learning of fair play
  • Willingness to achieve
  • Improving health
• Preston’s European City of Sport is led by four Principal Partners: Preston City Council, UCLan, Preston College and NHS Central Lancashire. They are supported by Preston North End FC as an official partner and by sportswear manufacturer Surridge as official kit supplier.