We are all guns blazing for this year’s Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride, Walk & Drive on Saturday 13th September. I believe that we already have some registrations, thank you, that is very encouraging for our team. The good weather has encouraged the cyclists to return to the lanes of North Norfolk where I live and I am sure that everyone is keen to know how the Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride, Walk & Drive went in 2024.
Once again it was a great year. The money has been collected, the last monies arrived with us in February, and thanks to your generosity and support on the day whether it was taking part, donating, sponsoring, getting the church ready or meeting and greeting participants, we raised a fabulous £122,118. Thank you to you all. Numbers taking part rose again with recorded participation numbering 613 people, 151 more than last year. We do know that many, many more take part without registering so thanks to you all too.
In terms of looking at the big picture of the event it means that since 1983 the Bike Ride, Walk & Drive alone has raised £4.5 MILLION towards grants of all sizes for wonderful buildings in Norfolk and there are still opportunities for the event to grow. We have plans for our 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2026 but more of that later in the year.
One way that the event can grow is by encouraging friends, neighbours and family to take part with you. You can direct them to our pages on the website to find out more about the day, advice on how to raise money and to register, which you can do so here. If you register, we will send you a reminder and information about the event closer to the day.
So, who were the winners this year?
Although not an official competition it is always good to know which church was the most visited. This year it was a Norwich church, St George’s, Tombland who hosted 56 visitors. Thirteen arrived on bicycle, one by car and 42 on foot! Twenty-one miles away in rural North Norfolk the romantic partly ruined church of St Mary’s, Barningham Winter welcomed 55 people, none arriving on foot, all were on bicycle. Anything goes, the most important thing is that churches are visited and appreciated as living records of communities and life past and present.
Back to the official competitions run on the day. The Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate, awarded to the participant who raised the most amount of money goes to the Rev. Canon Mark Dimond. He raised £1,923.20 for his church of St Margaret’s, King’s Lynn Minster. A wonderful amount. The winner of £1,000 for the most improved fundraising church goes to St Mary the Virgin, Hillington. who raised £1,651.
The photographic competition continues to grow and this year there was stiff competition. There are three winners Julia Hoskins, Angela Clarke and David Mullender each receiving £50 prize money and their photographs and those of the runners up will be published in the EDP later in the year. The three winning entries are shown within this article.
Finally, please make a note of this year’s event in your diary, Saturday 13th September and keep an eye on our website for information about the day. George Shippam, a member of our Bike Ride, Walk & Drive committee is a committed cyclist, and he has created some wonderful trails of different lengths and difficulty which include wonderful churches. They might be useful for the day but also for visiting by car, foot or bicycle at any time. Please keep an eye on our website because this is where they will be posted.
This year we are very lucky to have been given the opportunity by the Bishop of Norwich, Bishop Graham and his wife Rachel, to take one of their garden open days for the Trust. Please come and join us in Norwich on Sunday 22nd June. It is a not to be missed opportunity to visit one of Norfolk’s oldest and most historic gardens. There will be members of our Bike Ride, Walk & Ride team there if you would like to discuss anything about the event. There will also be delicious homemade cakes, coffee and tea to enjoy in these wonderful contemplative surroundings. Tickets are already on sale and you can book by clicking this link.
Thank you again from us all on the Bike Ride, Walk & Drive team. Your support of the Trust and of this wonderful inclusive day is so appreciated, particularly by the parishes who work so hard to keep their buildings open for us all to visit. Your support and enthusiasm has never been more needed.
