A report on the 2008 event by Gordon Smith, Eastbourne.

Report from St Mary's Old Town Eastbourne
The Sussex Historic Churches 'Ride and Stride'
Saturday 13th September 2008.

The 'Ride and Stride took place on September 13th and everything went according to plan. All our efforts were made by fourteen walkers who received a blessing with holy water from Father Geoffrey who was wearing a cope and biretta to give a fitting respect for the occasion. We were all ready at 10 am and the press came and took a photograph of Father Geoffrey the walkers and Harvey, my son Richard's Golden Retriever.

Every one enjoyed the walk including Harvey. It was a fun day enhanced by a number of the churches who were opened and manned where we received a warm welcome and refreshments. It is such a joy when people have given their time to be there to greet you.

In all we visited fifteen churches and in total raised £498-81 and it was not until I returned from visiting more outlying churches later in the afternoon that I heard that June Ironside’s dog Scampy had walked the full boundaries ofPrincess park and was sponsored for £100-00 which is included in the above total. There were also other people including Mr . & Mrs. Black who gave generously not only their money but their time. It is very important that we have two recorders on the door from 9am to 6pm to welcome visitors who are being sponsored by their own churches and to be given refreshments to encourage cyclists and walkers. Thirty -Seven people signed in at St. Mary's Old town. Recorders can be sponsored.

Over the years we have visited many places of worship, as we are members of 'The Friends of the Trust’, some centuries old, some having old mosaics uncovered of great interest, but all having been restored with the help of the trust. A large proportion of the funds raised comes from the 'Ride & Stride'. Each year a list is given of the places of worship helped during the year.

Thank you to all those people who participated in any way especially the walkers, recorders, and your help is much appreciated .

Please come and join us this year on Saturday 12th September 2009.


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