Ride+Stride ?  You may have spotted the bright yellow boards on  roadside each autumn.  On September's second Sat, we raise much needed funds in support of maintenance and improvements to the county's ancient church buildings while providing a great day out for everyone.  

This year I led a circular bike tour of the STOUR VALLEY from our village church St Andrew's in Okeford Fitzpaine  via quiet and often hilly narrow lanes to visit old churches perched atop hillside or tucked down dale.   10 riders who have shared 680years on planet earth  covered 56km/ 35miles and 2,000+feet climbing  over 4 hours in saddle, visiting 11 churches and enjoying an 8hour day out in the countryside.    Those taking part donated money for their zero carbon day; cyclist emissions may upset only the rider behind !

DHCT uses half the money raised (£84,632 in 2019) to fund vital repairs while the other half is returned to nominated churches to help with their own maintenance.  They also grant funds to provide facilities such as toilets and kitchenettes to help our churches become usable throughout the week by the wider community.  Here at St Andrew's, members have for some years worked on our own 'Re-ordering' project.  You may have heard about us recently in the national press when we removed  Victorian pine pews to create space in the nave ready to provide such facilities as well as a flexible worship space and baptistery to christen new members.  We discovered rotten floorboards, joists . .  and pews!  Come and see the effects of our efforts to date at our Celebration Service on Sun20 Sept - it may be standing room only ! 

When giving, please specify at start of your donation message: OKEFORD FITZPAINE  St Andrew's   so we can be sure that your gift is credited to our church.  Thank you for your support and generosity.