Ride and Stride 2024 was a historic event – the 40th Wiltshire Ride and Stride – a wonderful milestone achievement, made possible by the churches, chapels and everyone across the county who have loyally participated or supported this annual event over the past 40 years.
The first Wiltshire Ride and Stride was organised in 1984. (The black and white photograph taken at St Bartholomew’s Church in Corsham was displayed on the front cover of the Trust’s annual Report magazine in 1985).
The 1984 event was a huge success, raising some £10,000 and thereby generating the additional capacity for awarding Trust grants. Ride and Stride has been held every year since as a Wiltshire-wide event to raise funds to help pay for critical repairs to churches and chapels of all denominations. In 1986, Ride and
Stride was adopted nationally, with many other counties following the example set by Wiltshire.
The Trustees decided that the 40th anniversary should be appropriately commemorated and a bequest from the late Lord Brooke of Sutton Mandeville, the former President of Friends and an ardent promoter of Wiltshire Ride and Stride, funded a modest six-inch commemorative Welsh slate plaque for every participating church and chapel.
Ride and Stride day (14th September) was perfect for riders, striders and church reception teams. It was sunny and dry on the roads and underfoot, with temperatures up to 20 degrees and a light breeze.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton DCVO, as President of the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, launched the 40th Ride and Stride at 10:00am at St Mary’s Church, Lydiard Tregoze. Dame Sarah met and thanked the St Mary’s Church team for their long and loyal participation in this key fundraising event and launched the cyclists. She then presented the church with its commemorative plaque and travelled to St Augustine in Even Swindon and St Laurence in Stanton Fitzwarren to thank church teams for their participation and to present them with commemorative plaques for their places of worship.
Plaques were also presented across the county by WHCT Trustees, Officers and Deanery Representatives. It will be interesting to see the variety of ways in which the plaques are used or displayed in churches and chapels.
203 Churches and chapels were open and 240 Riders and Striders took part, including 26 young children. There were many commendable team and individual achievements on the day. Church routes covered all parts of the county and included the Athelstan Way in the North and a tremendous 58 church route in the South. Malmesbury Abbey was as busy as ever, with groups and friends catching up with each other before heading off in different directions. Many other beautiful historic churches featured on sponsor forms. There were many stories and pictures from the day.
It was also a day for the large teams. Many congratulations to St Andrew’s, Wootton Rivers who have been awarded the Brooke Cup for the fourth year in a row, with St James, Bratton and Christ Church, Swindon being worthy runners up. The Brooke Junior Cup was won for the third year in a row by St Michael and All Angels, Shalbourne, with St Jame’s, Cherhill coming second.
A record in recent years – some £60,000 was raised to support the maintenance and enhancement of the fabric of the churches and chapels of Wiltshire.
We owe heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to make the day a success.
Please save the date for Ride and Stride 2025 – Saturday 13th September2025
Most Inspiring Photographs
