I think he has done a fantastic job bringing the TDF to Yorkshire. Showing the whole world what we already know this county is fantastic. If you think he should get recognition for his vision and passion for Yorkshire please sign this petition asking the honours committee to consider a knighthood. https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-honours-committee-give-gary-verity-a-knighthood
I disagree. I think too many people as it is get made a Sir or Dame based on one event rather than what they have done over say 20 years. For example our greatest olympian Steve Redgrave got made a sir for winning gold at multiple different olympics. Yet Kelly Holmes got made a Dame for what she did in just one olympics. Then you have others like Rebecca Adlington who got letters after her name for one olympics but someone like Hoy who achieved alot over many years waited for a Sir.
He got exactly what he wanted in multi millions of pounds spent in north and west Yorkshire so if they want to honour him let them
He got exactly what he wanted in multi millions of pounds spent in north and west Yorkshire so if they want to honour him let them
I agree if it was just a one off but He has been in post now for over 5 years and in that time successfully raised the profile of Yorkshire on a national and international level having overseen award winning marketing campaigns and major tourism initiatives. He works closely with tourism businesses, local authorities and other partners to further grow the county’s visitor economy, which has increased to £7b since his appointment, and make Yorkshire a destination of choice for visitors worldwide. The TDF is really just the pinnacle of his vision for promoting Yorkshire.
I'm no fan of the honours system. It seems like a way to heap extra reward on civil servants, top military and Tory grandees and the like. However, given that we have one, I'd far rather that someone like Gary Verity was rewarded than the Sir Bufton Tuftons of this world. The Tour De Yorkshire was unimaginably successful - as confirmed by the Tour Director. It has raised the profile of Yorkshire, with 190 of the 196 countries in the world taking live coverage, and our own national media almost unanimous in their gushing praise for the enthusiasm and turnout for the first two stages. No-one can doubt that Yorkshire's effort has been something quite out of the ordinary. Arise then, Sir Gary, for services to national tourism/tourism in Yorkshire.
Not sure though why the petition website is governed by the laws of Delaware and subject to legal action only in the federal courts of California?
I read the other day that 190 of the 196 countries were watching it, which made me wonder who the other 6 were? I would imagine that Vatican City probably didn't tune in on Sunday, as the boss is pretty busy on a Sunday, and that crackpot in North Korea probably doesn't let anybody watch TV, so we'll include them. Albania were probably showing a Norman Wisdom film, so that's three. Who are the rest?
An absolutely top bloke and what he has done for Yorkshire's profile in the last 5 years has been amazing. However, as I said before, it's hard to imagine a bloke more hated by this Govt in general and Cameron in particular (ok Clegg exempted!). Gary Verity seriously embarrassed the Govt by refusing to back down to their demands that the Grand Depart should go to Edinburgh. This is a spiteful Govt with long memories and they won't forget being crossed. That's why Christian Proudhome deserves such praise for telling the Govt to sod off - It's coming to Yorkshire. More chance of Hill coming back as Manager than GV getting a knighthood I'm afraid.
