How did a successful fundraising idea in Suffolk, thought up by, among others, an Aldeburgh lady, Frances Parkinson, spread across the country so that this year, thirty counties will take part?
The Suffolk Historic Churches Trust started the annual Sponsored Bike Ride around churches (now known as Ride and Stride) in 1981 and has many long-serving supporters, who have taken part either as church volunteers welcoming people as they journey, or cycling and now, walking or running. It is always held on the second Saturday in September.
A retired police officer and now a well-known beekeeper, Steve Barrett, from Kessingland, Suffolk, whose honey is used by celebrated chef, Raymond Blanc, was involved in those early days and helped to make it an annual event.
“In the 1980’s I was the village policeman at Kessingland and I took part in every sponsored bike ride that I could. I was a 26-year-old fit policeman when I was approached by Frances Parkinson who asked if I would be an ambassador for the Trust and take messages to Bishops in various counties. I loved old churches and admired the work Frances did. She was a real can-do person and when she had a bee in her bonnet, she would get things done. As the day of the Ride approached, she asked me to take a message to the Bishop in Hastings to encourage the county of Kent to take part in the ride.
“I started from Kessingland at about 7.30 in the morning and cycled to the Dartford Tunnel where they then had a lorry that took bikes across, while the rider would sit in the cab with the driver. We got safely to the other side and it wasn’t long until I was cycling through the village of Battle where I stopped at the pub for a beer. The local vicar was also there and spotted the Trust stickers on my bike and complimented on taking part – and on my long ride that day from Suffolk!”
The next year Frances asked Steve to do the same for the county of Oxford.
“She had arranged overnight accommodation first with ‘Rick the Vic’ at Bury St Edmunds and I had a good night there and I even had a go at playing the cathedral organ. In Oxfordshire I stayed with the High Sheriff and I remember she had a butler who ran me a bath before I met the great and good of Oxford where I told them about the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust and what they did.”
Steve’s final mission was to take messages to the Leicester, cycling there in a day from Kessingland church.
“I was tasked with singing the praises of our work with local cyclists and the money they raised to help maintain our lovely churches. Frances was a big player in the Historic Churches Trust, especially in Suffolk, and wanted to get the messages out to all the other counties and her keenness to do all that shows how successful they are today. I am very proud to be part of it.”
The Chairman of the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Ride and Stride Committee, Simon Ronan, recently presented a Long Service Certificate to Steve Barrett to thank him for his support over so many years. (Steve’s bike is a handmade Claud Butler, in beautiful condition, and, over 40 years old).
In Suffolk alone, last year £200,000 was raised by this one-day event. This year, on Saturday 13th September from 9am-5pm, individuals, families and groups of friends, will cycle, run or walk between some of the five hundred or so Suffolk churches taking part. Sponsored for their journey, they chose their own route, visiting as many or as few churches as they feel able, and often meet up with others along the way. The event is open to all.
This year our celebrity supporter is Ipswich Town Football Club, supporting our local community and our Suffolk heritage.
Details of how to take part in Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride can be found only clicking HERE or from local churches. Half of the money raised is given in grants by the Trust to churches for restoration and repairs, and half of their donations/sponsorship can be donated to a chosen church by the cyclist, walker or runner. A car rally, Pedal and Drive, is held on the same day and is open to vintage and classic cars. Click HERE for more details of how to take part.