Fr Justin Parker receives the grant certificate for Stanton Lacy from our chairman, John Clark.

Pictured from left to right are: David Hardham, John Clark, Fr Justin Parker, Ven Fiona Gibson, Steve Arnold, Jeanette Arnold OBE

Yvonne Bridgeland receives a certificate from our chairman John Clark.

Yvonne's late husband was a much respected former trustee.

Ride + Stride Report 2023

R+S had a fantastic year in 2023.  We (you) raised a total of £37,083.23 from sponsorship and donations.  This is a new record – the previous highest was £31,252 in 2018. 115 churches participated in 2023 – a significant increase (it was 82 churches in 2021).

Further good news is that 24 Churches joined us in fundraising for the first time in ages, including six Churches that participated for the first time ever.  In addition, the vast majority of our churches were open – about 85%, but a few churches never told me if they were open so I don’t know exactly.

Hearty congratulations to the “Top 5”: Clungunford (£1,516), Shelton w Oxon (£1,305), Clun (£1,228), Hordley (£1,203), and Ratlinghope (£1,014).

Special congratulations to the “5 Highest New Entries”:  Holy Trinity Belle Vue Shrewsbury (£732), Meole Brace (£694), Buildwas (£486), Weston Lullingfield (£454), and Newport (£415).

Ride and Stride is not a competition between churches.  We know that some congregations are far better able to do Rides, Strides (and car rides) than others, so the ‘Hit Parades’ are just meant as a bit of fun and a good way to recognise all the generous support from much of the county, including Telford and several parishes just over the border in Wales.  It is a major fundraiser for the Trust, but it is just one of our events.  The 'Gardens Open' days have also been a great enjoyment and a major contributor to our finances.

GRANT AWARD PRESENTATION AT ST MARY'S WESTBURY

Mr Stephen Winwood (Trust Chairman) recently presented a  certificate  at St Mary's Church, Westbury to  Martin Dyas (Treasurer), Dianne Tomlins-Davies (Churchwarden) and the Revd David Moss (Rector), this follows our giving them a grant of £17,000 for masonry repairs and the replacement of louvres in the tower windows. 

We are delighted to learn that the Listed Places of Worship GRANT SCHEME has been extended to March 2026. The scheme reimburses VAT incurred in undertaking repair to listed places of worship. For many church groups this schem is a lifeline. The scheme recieves approximately 7000 applications each year, and since 2001 has reimbursed £317m and aided more than 13,000 buildings.

please look at their website for more information: www.lpwscheme.org.uk/grant_scheme.html

Ride + Stride Report 2022

R+S -- Is always the second Saturday in September (except 2022 when it was postponed to 24 September due to the sad death of the Queen), but some churches opened on the 10th and many Riders + Striders went out on their sponsored travels on the 10th, and many others went out on the 24th, and some even went on both dates.

One highlight was the arrival of three rickshaws at St Chad's, Shrewsbury.  

The 'Open Day' aspect of R+S Day was somewhat affected by the postponement but, even so, about 85% of our Anglican churches were open, mostly with light refreshments, and there were about 25 other churches open for 'Riders' and 'Striders', including the RC cathedral, and the Unitarian Church in Shrewsbury.  Several Churches had many more visitors than in previous years and some churches were open for the first time ever. 

The fundraising was also successful: £29,700 which is our third-best year ever - despite some muddle caused by the postponement.  There were 30 Churches that joined in for the first time in a long time, (about 10 of them joined for the first time ever).  The total was raised by 101 Churches, more than for many years.  It was mainly from sponsored rides, plus some generous donations.  This is a fantastic achievement and I and the other Trustees give our grateful thanks to everyone who helped in any way.

The ‘Top 5’ are Clungunford (£1,503), Ratlinghope (£1,222), Shelton w Oxon (£1,035), Hordley (£985), and Stanton-under-Hine Heath (£887).  Congratulations!

Many others raised large amounts – 12 others raised £500 or more.   

And special congratulations to the “5 Highest New Entries”: Welshampton (£403), Doddington (£390), Burford (£345), Prees (£288), and Alberbury (£258).  We hope that this will be the beginning of many enjoyable Ride+Stride years for them and all the other 'New Entries'

A FINAL NOTE:  There are some parts of the county where the whole event is still rather low-key - Churches leave biscuits and squash for visitors but very few people make any sponsored travels and the chocolate biscuits are untouched!   I suppose it is my job to encourage more involvement in those localities and I am uplifted by all the churches that did sponsoring for the first time since before Covid.  Thank you!