A Radio Four presenter, a vintage car, and a bike came together on Saturday 27th July at an historic Suffolk church to launch the 2024 Suffolk Churches annual fundraiser, Ride and Stride and Pedal & Drive, to be held in September.
From the Radio Four ‘Today’ programme, presenter Nick Robinson, and a 1953 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn,owned by Jono Benson, joined Suffolk Historic Churches Trust volunteers at St Bartholomew’s church in Orford, as the Trust prepares for the one day event to be held on Saturday 14th September. Over 500 churches will be open to welcome walkers, cyclists, and vintage, veteran and classic cars. Details of how to take part are available in most churches, chapels and meeting houses, and on the Trust website, including sponsor forms and a list of participating churches. The one day event of Ride and Stride, with Pedal & Drive, is the only fundraiser held for the Trust. Half the money participants raise goes to the Trust, and half to their chosen church.
“If you said to me ten years ago, I would wander around looking at old churches, I would have thought you were completely stark raving mad,” laughed Nick Robinson, who has a house in Orford. “But last year we bought Simon Jenkins ‘Thousand Best Churches’ book, and we started to explore. The great joy of the churches is the history is so fascinating, whether you find an interesting gravestone or some plaque on the wall. The joy is it’s a history of people and a history of the area, of wealth and the loss of wealth, and that’s what makes them endlessly fascinating.”
Last year, on the hottest day of the year, the event in September raised a record £200,312.70, which is being given in grants to Suffolk historic churches, chapels and meeting houses who need to make urgent repairs or improvements to their buildings.
“After last year’s record fundraise, this year is going to be even more exciting, but it’s going to be harder work, I think. If we beat last year, that would be quite extraordinary,” said Simon Ronan, Chairman of Ride and Stride. “We appeal to walkers and cyclists, families, and a younger audience, to come and join in. Last year on the hottest day, the churches that were open were incredibly generous with keeping us going with refreshments and cakes. We are very grateful to our hundreds of volunteers. It is such a fun day out whether with family or friends.”
Greg Spray was also at the launch with his bike, having taken the ferry across from Orford Ness where he’d been volunteering for the National Trust.
“I’m an area organiser for Saxmundham and Woodbridge deaneries and I have 82 churches that I look after, with a load of very, very lovely organisers, one for every church. They’re a fantastic bunch of people, and without them, we wouldn’t get where we are today.”
On Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride day, cyclists and walkers get sponsored on their journey around some of Suffolk’s churches, choosing their own route, long or short, and it can be a handful or churches, or a full day exploring many. Those on mobility scooters and electric bikes are also welcome.
On the same day, Suffolk Churches Pedal & Drive, a vintage and classic car rally, is held with cars travelling a provided route, around a selection of churches, meeting up in the afternoon in Lavenham.
The wonderful car was brought to the launch by its owner Jono Benson, who bought it for himself for his 21stbirthday.
“It’s a 1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. They only made nine of them and it’s done the Pedal and Drive since the beginning, so we’ve seen some wonderful churches, and it has never missed a beat. I think the greatest joy is seeing churches that you would never normally go and peer into and Suffolk is absolutely teeming with them,” he explained. “I have had it for 17 years and it has visited many a Suffolk church, She’s called Mrs. Barclay because she’s Barclay Blue, retailed by Jack Barclay of Berkeley Square!”
Donations and sponsorship can be collected via Just Giving. A photography competition for participants is also held, and details are on the Trust website.
The annual ride began in Suffolk in 1982 but has now spread across England. It appeals to families, local history lovers, keen cyclists and walkers, church supporters and those who just enjoy an annual trip around the villages and towns of Suffolk.
We would like to thank the church warden, Jacki Maslin, for allowing us to take our photos at St Bartholomew’s on a busy day of visiting tourists and a wedding.
Now we get ready for the Big Day – Saturday 14th September – so start planning your route and getting sponsors or donations.
Click HERE for Ride and Stride and HERE for Pedal & Drive.
