What, in the majority of towns and villages, is the most impressive building?  You’ve guessed it: the church!  And Wiltshire, as much as any county, has a rich variety of styles of architecture and historical features to explore. Ride & Stride is an annual event that invites particpants to visit as many churches as possible in a day. Sponsorship can be per church visited or a fixed amount. It’s an ideal family day out – many of the churches have welcomers who offer refreshments and fascinating information about their church.
Participants can take part on a bike, on foot or on horseback.

Half of the money raised goes to Christ Church with St Mary’s, the other half to the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, enabling it to give grants for the upkeep and enhancement of churches and chapels around the county. 
 There is no enrollment fee – just get a sponsorship form and instructions from Arline tel. 520691 royandarline@gmail.com or the parish office and then plan your own route.  Whether you simply walk from one local church to another or more ambitiously aim to cycle to fifty churches, you are welcome. There are also prizes for the most successful individuals and parishes.

Take a look at this Google map of some of the county’s churches for some inspiration https://drive.google.com/open?id=11mt133atEOdvmIOZCmpAybBVFrU&usp=sharing

Not all of these churches may be paticipating this year – contact Arline or the office, as above, for the 2019 list. Don’t fancy the challenge – You can still take part. We are looking for volunteers to man Christ Church or St Mary’s to welcome our visitors on the day. Contact Arline royandarline@gmail.com if you could spare some time and a smile for our, often weary, visitors.