The first day of a new school year is always a milestone, but for pupils at Lift Utterby Primary School, this year’s return to the classroom came with the added excitement of one of Britain’s biggest professional cycling races passing right by their gates.

The second stage of the Tour of Britain passed through Utterby, near Louth on Thursday, with the village representing one of the most northerly points on the route.

Pupils headed out of their classrooms to wave their flags and cheer from the roadside as the professional riders sped past.

For the school’s youngest pupils, the occasion will be particularly memorable, as they arrived for their very first day at Lift Utterby School, creating something will stay with pupils, families and staff for years to come.

Utterby school children turn out to cheer on the cyclists.

placeholder image — Utterby school children turn out to cheer on the cyclists.

The whole village embraced the occasion, with the school joining forces with St Andrew’s Church, Utterby, and Utterby Parish Council to decorate the village and give the riders a suitably enthusiastic Lincolnshire welcome.

Bunting, flags, decorated bicycles and cycling-themed displays transformed the village in preparation for the race, with children, families and members of the local community all contributing to the celebrations.

The school field also became part of the spectacle, with specialist land-art creators Sand in Your Eye commissioned to create a large-scale artwork designed to be seen from the air as helicopter cameras followed the race through Lincolnshire. The artwork celebrated the local area with a playful design featuring a seal on a tractor racing a hare alongside the Wolds Heart, bringing together references to Lincolnshire’s agricultural heritage, the seals of the nearby Donna Nook and the hares found in the fields of the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Tom Hawkins, Principal of Lift Utterby Primary School, said: “What a fantastic way to begin a new school year. The first day back is always exciting, but having the Tour of Britain pass our school makes this one particularly special. For some of our youngest children, this is their very first day at school, and I think being able to stand alongside their new friends and watch some of the world’s best cyclists race past is something they will remember for a very long time.

First day back for Owls Class - Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils.

“It has also been wonderful to see the school and wider village come together to make the most of the occasion. We are incredibly grateful to St Andrew’s Church, Utterby Parish Council, our families and everyone in the community who has helped decorate the village and create such a warm welcome for the riders.”