More Than a Cycle Ride: Exploring South Lincolnshire by Pennyfarthing
As South Lincolnshire prepares to welcome the Lloyds Tour of Britain, we wanted to celebrate some of the places, people and creativity that make our area special.
So, naturally, we sent our Project Assistant Iain on a pennyfarthing.
Travelling through Holbeach, Spalding, Boston and Skegness, Iain visited workshop venues involved in our Community Flag Project, local landmarks, and a selection of the public artworks and creative projects that Transported has co-delivered alongside communities over the years.
The pennyfarthing itself was inspired by something that sits at the heart of Transported’s work: creativity, spectacle and outdoor arts. It also felt like a fitting way to mark the arrival of one of the country’s biggest cycling events, albeit at a slightly different pace!
Reflecting on Years of Creativity
One of the unexpected joys of making the video was the opportunity to look back at just how much public art has been created across South Lincolnshire.
The artworks featured in the film represent only a small percentage of the projects that local communities, artists, partners and volunteers have helped bring to life through Transported over the years. Passing by these pieces was a reminder of the creativity that already exists in our towns and villages, and the stories that sit behind every project.
We’re also continuing conversations with local authorities and business improvement groups about how we might better connect and promote the many public artworks and trails across the area. It’s an exciting piece of work that is still developing, so watch this space.
In the meantime, you can explore many of our projects through the Map section of our website, as well as through our individual project pages.
The Power of a Pennyfarthing
While the artworks, venues and landscapes were all important parts of the journey, one thing stood out above everything else: people’s reactions.
Throughout the day, countless people stopped to chat.
They wanted to know about the pennyfarthing, how difficult it was to learn, whether it was comfortable, how fast it could go, and why on earth someone would choose to ride one in the twenty-first century.
Every conversation was positive.
There was something about the combination of tradition, spectacle and curiosity that encouraged people to engage. Strangers stopped to smile, share stories and ask questions. It felt like a reminder of how creativity can help create connections and spark conversations in the most unexpected ways.
Iain’s Reflections
Looking back on the experience, Iain said:
“A truly wonderful adventure and experience. I work with amazing people who came up with the idea and made it a reality. It was a great day out with Sophie.
The opportunity to learn to ride the pennyfarthing has been a joy, I absolutely love it.
I should also thank Mother Nature, who shelved and delayed ideas for a wet day!”
Reflecting on the finished film, he added:
“Thank you. It looks wonderful. I love the riding away into the sun bit at the end. It leaves the story open.
Genuinely overwhelmed that this exists. 🤗🚴♂️”
We think he’s right. The final shot feels like an invitation to keep exploring, to keep discovering creativity in unexpected places, and to keep celebrating the communities that make South Lincolnshire what it is.
Find Out More
The journey was made as part of our Community Flag Project for Boston’s Tour of Britain visit, which has seen local residents work with artists Dovile Sakalauskaite and Emily Cartwright to create flag designs inspired by cycling, Lincolnshire and community pride.
Learn more about the project here:
🔗 https://transportedart.com/projects/community-flag-designs-for-bostons-tour-of-britain-visit/
And if you’d like to explore more of the public art, trails and creative projects featured in the film, take a look at the map section of our website and start your own South Lincolnshire adventure.