Spectacular 70-metre work of art proves a winner

The work, featuring a horse, a ram and a wild boar riding a penny farthing has been crowned the winner of the event’s land art competition.

The giant 70-metre by 40-metre painting on the grassy airfield at the Yorkshire Gliding Club at Sutton Bank, near Thirsk, beat off fierce competition from 11 other finalists to take home the coveted trophy.

Called The Finest View, it was commissioned by the North York Moors National Park Authority and Hambleton District Council, and shows the animals looking out over what James Herriot called “the finest view in England.”

It took artists Becky Newbould, Rob Conway, James Brunt, Timm Cleasby and Cath Smart – together known as the Landmark Collective - 14 days to complete using 1,000 litres of white biodegradable pitch-marking paint that will fade over the coming months.

Director of park services Richard Gunton said: “The Tour de Yorkshire was a great event which also highlighted the beauty of the National Park and so we’re extremely proud to have won the competition.

“I have no doubt that author James Herriot would have shared our pride as the land art design paid homage to his declaration that the view from Sutton Bank was the finest in England.”

More than 2,000 votes were cast in the competition, which saw communities across the county come together to create dozens of spectacular pieces of land art to celebrate the Tour de Yorkshire 2016.

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part from the artists, to the school children and volunteers right across the county who devoted so much time and effort into being part of the competition.

“The standard of land art was truly incredible and really showcased the county’s talents and humour, as well as their passion for the race.”

Giant cycling jerseys created at Sherburn in Elmet came a close second, while a huge stopwatch laid out on Giggleswick School’s sports ground took third place.