It was 9th September, the hottest day of the year, 73 hardy souls set out on wheels or on foot to visit as many churches as they could in just one day.
There was a somewhat different atmosphere to the event this year, possibly due to the extreme heat. There were more families riding out together. People seemed to have more time to enter the churches and take a break – it was much cooler inside than out. So while the numbers of participants was less and the time taken to go round was longer than in previous years, the atmosphere was felt by many to be more relaxed and friendly. This is something we would like to encourage in future years with possibly a prize for families.
On March 17th an awards ceremony was held at Thistleton Church to mark their achievements.
Following a one minute silence to remember Richard Foulkes, the Ride and Stride organiser, who sadly died in October, the Chairman, Peter Lawson, introduced Dr Sarah Furness, Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland and Geraldine Feehally, High Sheriff of Rutland. “We should be proud that the ‘riders and striders’ of Rutland generate more income per head of population than any other county,” said Dr Furness, who appropriately arrived at the venue on her bicycle.
The 2023 ‘Ride and Stride’ generated an impressive £23,400 which will support historic churches throughout the county.
The winner of the Davenport-Handley Cup was following in his late father’s tyre tracks. Jack Hudson cycled to 47 churches and was riding in memory of his father John, who won the cup in 1997. Jack lives in Portugal and so his prize was collected by his mother Debra.
Close behind him were four other riders who excelled:
- Jef Tod came an amazingly close second with 46 churches,
- Katie Salmon reached 37,
- Douglas Mathew and Mark Bolton cycled to 36 churches.
- Alison Thompson O’Connor Mary Stoate, who rode her unicycle to 23 churches, won a gift token for choosing the quirkiest mode of transport.
Lily (6) and Olivia (4) Howard-May, our youngest riders, cycled to 26 churches. Lily pedalled her own bicycle, while Olivia rode on the back of her dad’s bike. They both won book tokens.
Betty Hoult (RIP) our oldest competitor (95) sadly died before the presentation but a certificate was presented to her family and will be displayed in Thistleton Church in her memory.
The next ‘Ride and Stride’ event will take place on Saturday, September 13th, 2025.
Dr Sarah Furness, Lord Lieutenant for Rutland, arriving at the prizegiving on her bicycle.
Debra Hudson receiving the Davenport-Handley cup, on behalf of her son Jack.
Lily (6) and Olivia (4) Howard-May receiving their prizes for visiting 26 churches from Geraldine Feehally, Rutland High Sheriff.
Jef Todd receiving his certificate for visiting 46 churches from Dr Furness.
Katie Salmon receiving her certificate for visiting 37 churches from Dr Furness.
Mary Stoate received her prize for riding her unicycle to 26 churches from High Sheriff Geraldine Feehally.
The prize winners
David Hoult receiving the certificate for the oldest participant, his mother Betty, aged 95 who sadly died earlier this year.