Staffordshire Historic Churches Trust

Ride and Stride - General Information


Message  from Matthew Parker, of Stafford


“I am delighted to be able to take part in this year’s Ride and Stride. It is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our parish churches and celebrate their essential role at the heart of our communities. It raises much needed funds to secure this great heritage for both present and future use. Why not join with me on the 10th September - in whatever way you are able - as we Ride and Stride for the parish churches of Staffordshire?”.


The Ride and Stride sponsored event takes place on the second Saturday in September every year in most  English counties. This page describes the idea of the ride and stride. More specific information on this event can be found here.

It is now the Trust’s principal source of income. Cyclists and walkers are sponsored to go out and visit churches – and now you can go by public transport or car if riding and striding are too strenuous. Most of the churches are open from 10am to 6pm and there will be someone there to welcome you and offer refreshments.

Some churches cannot man the church all day. A few are only able to put the signing-in register in the porch or on the door. 

140 churches of all denominations took part last year in  Staffordshire – we would love to increase that number. People find it is a wonderful day of fellowship – both for the cyclists and walkers and the folk who open up their churches to receive them. Some churches send out a group of walkers or cyclists and enjoy a picnic together during the day.

Half the money raised by cyclists and walkers is returned to their own church.

If you like visiting churches this is the best day in the whole year (apart from Sundays and Holy Days) to find churches open. A provisional list of churches taking part this year is can be downloaded here.

To take part in the event as a church please use the forms listed here.

If you are not a member of a church you can still take part; download the sponsorship form, and there is no need to register

The provisional list of churches will be available by late June; the final list in late August; latecomers on the website.

  • Additional comments    
                                   
  1. The trophy (a handsome plate) is presented to the cyclist or walker who visits most churches on the day between 10am and 6pm.
  2. The churches count towards your total only if they are officially taking part in Ride and Stride i.e. they are on the Staffordshire published list.
  3. We must be able to verify that you have visited the number of churches you claim. This will be done principally through your sponsor form.
  4. You must be sponsored by at least five people.
  5. In the event of a tie the winner will be decided firstly by the number of sponsors, secondly, the amount of money raised, thirdly the age of the participant (oldest wins).
  6. Your sponsor form must be returned by January 31st.
  7. The presentation will be at the SHCT AGM .
  8. You cannot win the trophy in two successive years.
  9. Motorised transport can be used only to get to the start of your walk/ride and to go home from the endpoint
  •