We caught up with church warden Lucy, a regular participant in our annual fundraiser, on why she gets involved and how you can too
Q. There’s so much to love about Ride + Stride. Heritage, countryside, exercise and even lovely weather (sometimes!)… What’s your favourite part of the day?
I know that it’s not always possible, but I love it when churches are open and I get chance to look inside beautiful buildings that I often drive past but never seem to have time to stop and look at properly. Last year I arrived at St Peter’s Clayworth just in time for a guided tour of the Traquair murals (and a large piece of cake!).
Q. How many years have you have been a Ride & Strider?
I have opened up our church, All Saints’ Eaton, for visiting Riders & Striders since I became churchwarden in 2015, but my first attempt at riding was in 2019. We had started fundraising for a project to add kitchen and toilet facilities to All Saints so I thought that it would be a great opportunity to raise some funds for that, as well as for Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust who have supported All Saints’ in the past. And also a great way to keep fit! That year, I decided to cycle round all 8 churches in our newly merged Parish (and also visited a couple more en route) which was about 25 miles. When I signed up to participate again in 2021, I decided to set myself another challenge and to attempt a ‘reverse mini triathlon’! This involved doing a Parkrun in the morning (3 miles) before cycling 30 miles to visit 13 churches, and ending with a swim in the river that runs through Eaton.
Q. If cycling and running wasn’t enough, you went for a river swim! How was that?
It had been a really warm day so it was the perfect way to finish the challenge!
Q. What was the most challenging part of your mini-triathlon?
I was so busy enjoying the cake in one of the churches that I visited that I left my sponsor sheet behind which had been signed by the welcomers in each church that I had visited so far. I’d cycled about a mile before I realised so that unintentionally added a couple more miles onto the challenge.
Q. What’s the one thing no ride and strider should leave the door without?
Snacks to keep you going when the going gets tough (my personal nemesis is hills – I always thought North Nottinghamshire was fairly flat until I started cycling!). I find that a ready supply of jelly babies helps! And also your phone – great for mapping your route as well as taking photos. I was delighted to find out that I also won the photography competition last year with one of my snaps which meant another £75 for our church on top of the money I raised through sponsorship!
Q. As well as raising money for the trust, your church, All Saints Eaton, directly benefitted too. What is the money going towards?
We’ve been fundraising since 2018 to add kitchen and toilet facilities to our church building. These will not only benefit worshippers, but also the wider community as Eaton has no village hall.
Q. You mentioned the community project. Churches are at the heart of our local communities up and down the county. How important is that to you?
It is hugely important. Our church is at the heart of our small rural village, both geographically and figuratively. By adding modern facilities and making our buildings more accommodating to people of all ages, we can serve our communities even better.
Q. As a church warden, you’re very aware of the practical work these fine, old buildings need in upkeep. How important is the grant funding that helps to preserve Notts’ historic churches?
It is essential. Historical buildings can take a lot of upkeep, but thanks to the support of organisations such Notts Historic Churches Trust, church wardens can access vital funds to help preserve these important buildings for future generations. Eaton church is a prime example of this. When the West wall of the church collapsed during a violent thunderstorm in 1998, £30,000 was needed to repair it. It was thanks to grants from organisations including the Notts Historic Churches Trust that the building was saved.
Q. What would you say to a fellow church warden to encourage their church to get involved in Ride + Stride?
It’s a lovely opportunity to visit some of our beautiful Nottinghamshire churches and enjoy our towns and countryside whilst raising funds for your own.
Q. What would you say to anyone else looking to take part?
Good luck, and enjoy it!