This year Lorne and I are going to ride for our local Church, Hempstead All Saints, and the Norfolk Churches Trust. 

Many of you will know that I have been taking part in the annual Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride for the last few years and you have been very generous in your support.  I apologise for holding out the cap again but this has been a disastrous year for churches and the Norfolk Churches Trust as almost all fundraising activities have been cancelled. Your donations will have helped pay for the new thatch on the apse in the picture.

The Norfolk Churches Trust does amazing work in helping to save the fabulous medieval churches of Norfolk, of which there are over 600, the largest number in any county. Anyone who has visited Norfolk will appreciate what an important part of the local landscape they play. They are well worth a visit as they house a wealth of architectural and historical interest. Without the NCT's help many would have been lost and many are at serious risk without continued financial help. 

If you are not interested in churches and would prefer to sponsor me in the knowledge that I will be suffering for my cause.... this is your opportunity. We only have one bike with fully functioning gears and it is the bike that has a seat high enough for Lorne and so it looks like I am going to be lumbered with the rickety old bike. I think I am going to attach a rope to Lorne's bike when we go up the hills. We do have them in Norfolk! I am slightly worried that my Covid beard will add more wind resistance but I suspect that is the least of my problems.

Nearly all the churches in Norfolk will be open on the 12th of September and we are going to try to visit as many as possible in one day. We have set ourselves a minimum of 20 churches.