The New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata was pleased to organise the first edition of “Mémoire en Mouvement”, a cycling tour around Le Quesnoy combining remembrance and conviviality.
This event was carried out in collaboration with the Institute Ste Jeanne d’Arc, whose students were deeply involved in the project: helping to create marketing collateral, welcoming participants, taking photographs, and organising refreshment stations. Their involvement greatly contributed to the success of the day.
We would also like to warmly thank the Le Quesnoy Cycling Club, whose valuable support made it possible to design routes suitable for all levels, ensuring a pleasant and accessible ride for everyone.
Club members present at the event also helped guide participants and ensured the smooth running of the ride.
Two routes were offered: an 11 km loop and a 30 km loop, allowing participants to visit several villages traversed by the New Zealand soldiers before their arrival in Le Quesnoy: Beaudignies, Romeries and Vertigneul.
Participants made several stops at Commonwealth cemeteries where many soldiers lie forevermore, having fallen during the liberation of these villages and in preparation for the liberation of Le Quesnoy.
At each stop, guides were present to explain the history and significance of these locations.
Jacob, a guide during the ride and also a participant in the 30 km route, said:
“It was amazing to see so many new faces interested in this story. We had cyclists of all ages and all fitness levels along for the ride, many discovering the deep New Zealand connection their community has held for over a hundred years.”
Cyclists also enjoyed convivial moments during refreshment stops organised at the Ferme du Pont à Pierre, New Zealand Headquarters at the end of the war, as well as at Place du Colonel Blyth in Beaudignies, renamed in honour of this soldier who greatly contributed to the friendship that unites Le Quesnoy and New Zealand.
This cycling tour was organised as part of our temporary exhibition “Ça roule! Remembering the New Zealand Cyclist Corps”, which will soon come to a close. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure you do so before 28 June.
