David Parkin on the Tour de France; recruitment and truly believing

I HAVE absolutely no doubt that the Tour de France’s Grand Départ in Yorkshire will be a huge success.
 
The confidence, enthusiasm and sheer appetite for the challenge displayed by Welcome to Yorkshire and the region’s local authorities is great to behold.
 
Yesterday’s Y14 conference, which marked 100 days before the race starts in Leeds on July 5, attracted an audience of 2,000 people to the Harrogate International Centre and they saw a slick, upbeat showcase of not just what the cycling will do for the region, but lots of other things to look forward to.
 
As I walked into the venue, three blonde women were striding in before me (I don’t know why I mention their hair colour, most women in Harrogate are blonde) and one said to the others: “Do you think this will be the Gary Verity show today?”
 
I was glad I wasn’t the only cynic in attendance.
 
In fact my cynicism dissipated swiftly – Gary was on good form, didn’t dominate proceedings and should be proud of an event that couldn’t fail to fire up all those who attended.
 
From a newly commissioned song for the Grand Depart which is toe-tappingly good, to an impressive new TV and cinema advert promoting the attractions of the county, the event trumpeted the positives – and why not?
 
I was particularly impressed by a beautifully-made three-minute film about Hull being the European City of Culture in 2017.
 
It starts and ends with one of the city’s famous sons quoting another: Sir Tom Courtenay speaking the wonderful words of Philip Larkin.
 
If you watch it you’ll want to go to Hull.
 
The event also featured an appearance by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who wasn’t his smooth and slick self when interviewed, grasping for words to describe the impact of the Tour de France on the region. He looked absolutely drained and exhausted from his debate the night before with UKIP leader Nigel Farage.
 
Of course there are those that think the county is throwing too much money at the Tour de France, when all it really boils down to is a weekend of cycling in July.
 
That’s why the legacy benefits of the race coming to Yorkshire are so important.
 
Apparently the costs of staging the Grand Depart have already risen £2m over the original budget.
 
I was amused to hear sports grandee Sir Rodney Walker, who chairs the organisation charged with delivered the race, say this week that it will happen “on time and on budget”.
 
That’s good, because if it doesn’t happen on time, I don’t think there are any other windows of opportunity where it can be slotted into the calendar at a later date.
 
A film featuring cycling stars Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish and the head of the Sky team and UK cycling chief Sir David Brailsford all spoke enthusiastically about the Tour coming to Yorkshire.
 
It ended with comments by Sir Bradley Wiggins. It was the only part of the event that didn’t get applause. He really is an arrogant and unlikeable character who even when he is trying to be positive comes over as condescending and aloof.
 
For those of us who were unfortunate to see his last appearance in Yorkshire – a rude rant in front of 700 guests at the Firecracker Ball – he’ll never be a sporting hero, whatever he wins.
 
:::
 
I WOKE up this morning wearing a bright orange wristband. It reminded me that I was at the Harrogate Beer Festival last night.
 
Like the Ilkley Beer Festival earlier in the year, the event attracts quite a sizeable corporate crowd and, importantly, raises a decent amount of money for charity thanks to the efforts of organiser Harrogate and District Round Table.
 
Of course events like this are always male-dominated. That’s why I was pleased to be able to chat to one of the few women there.
 
She turned out to be in recruitment. When she had worked out that I wasn’t a frustrated partner at an accountancy firm or out-of-work FD and so couldn’t provide her with a fee, she decided to tell me how good she is at her job and all previous jobs she has done.
 
Ten minutes later I’d got the gist. I excused myself and went back to talk to the lawyers and accountants. Sometimes you have to stick with who you know.
 
If she doesn’t read this then I’m sure I’ll get a LinkedIn request later today asking me to write a story about her success.
 
:::
 
I RECEIVED a press release about barbecue restaurant Reds opening a second outlet in Leeds.
 
The restaurant promotes itself as attracting an almost religious zealousness from its fans. The press release talked about the new outlet being the “second coming”.
 
Their PR man James Newman even ends his emails with the title: ‘Head of communications and Believer’.
 
And just above his contact number is the word ‘Amen’.
 
Gawd help us.

Have a great weekend.