The 2018 Ride + Stride took place on Saturday 8th September
The day dawned dry and warm with a light breeze which was perfect for walking, running and riding. In the Claydon Deanery Rev’d David Meakin stode the 20 miles between Waddesdon and Weedon knocking over two hours off his previous best time for the same route. Rev’d Meakin’s appeal to raise funds both for BHCT and to pay for a professional Statement of Significance to be prepared for St Martin’s church, Dunton has been very successful and he has exceeded his target of £2600. Also in Claydon Deanery Rev’d Mary Cruddas strolled between the six churches and chapels in the Parish of Waddesdon, covering a more sedate distance with an accessable walk suitable for younger and older participants. Two Granborough residents chose to run from Buckingham to Whitchurch visiting 14 churches along the way and arriving at the finish looking suprisingly fresh, while another resident took to her bike and visited 14 churches in Milton Keynes. Representatives from Oving showed their competitive edge by cycling 66 miles and visiting 34 churches, a brilliant effort. It comes as no suprise that the parishes that are supported by all these participants are appreciative of the assistance given by BHCT to help them with essential church repairs.
Elsewhere in the County, many people pulled on their walking boots or took to their bikes travelling great distances and visiting many churches in support of BHCT and their chosen church or chapel. In Milton Keynes Chiltern Distance Riders met at Campbell Park for an organised ride through the lovely parks and quiet roads that are hidden away out of site of the roundabouts and dual carriageways that represent Milton Keynes to the casual visitor. The riders passed four different listed churches ranging from the beautiful grade 1 church of All Saints, Middleton to the Early Victorian Grade 2 Holy Trinity church of Great Woolstone which is sadly redundant.
However you choose to take part Ride + Stride guarantees a suprising day out.
Do join in Ride + Stride 2019 on Saturday 14th September
– we promise you an unusual and enjoyable day.
Ride + Stride is an event like no other why not take part this year and find out for yourself what extraordinary things lie quietly behind the churchyard gates and creaking doors of Buckinghamshire’s many churches and chapels.
Ride + Stride is open to walkers as well as horse-riders and cyclists – in fact to anyone using a non-mechanical form of transport. It always takes place on the second Saturday of September between 10.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m., and the object is to raise money for the repair and restoration of churches and chapels of any Christian denomination in Buckinghamshire. Half the money raised goes to the church or chapel of the participant’s choice, and the other half is added to a general fund which is administered by the Bucksinghamshire Historic Churches Trust. Churches are encouraged to make applications to BHCT for grants to help with church repairs and restoration.
