Ride and Stride Sept 13th 2026

Malcolm will be seen off on his tour of the Otter Valley by the congregation of Tipton St John the Evangelist, after the Sunday morning communion service to cycle round the twelve churches of the Otter Valley. Tipton St John with St Gregory's Venn Ottery has two buildings to look after, and the cost of repairs to roofs, rainwater goods, walls and drains exceed our regular giving. Devon Historic Churches Trust help the small rural congregations of Devon villages to keep their churches open and afford emergency repairs.

St Gregory's at Venn Ottery has a church tower with three bells - one dating back to 1460. The first minister was recorded in1206, and the land of "fen otteri", was mentioned in the Domesday Book. St Gregory sent missionaries to England after encountering "Angles" in the Roman Forum - a legend commemorated in our East window in victorian glass. This window is in need of repair due to cracks in the masonry, along with repairs to the gutters and drains.

"Rock of Ages Cleft for Me", was written by a young Rev. Augustus Montague Toplady in 1766, who lived in the village during his time as priest for St Gregory's Venn Ottery and St Gregory the Great at the neighbouring village of Harpford.

These church buildings provide a focus for communal events, which bring the community together for worship and mutual support and encouragement. Music events, flower festivals, school services, visitors on holiday from around the world and local people find a place of quiet, for reflection and prayer. The churchyards are full of flora and fauna with moths and butterflies in abundance, bats, birds and slow worms, and even on occasion, grass snakes.

Please support Devon Historic Churches who love these buildings - their art, their craftsmanship in wood and stone, and centuries of history.

Malcolm will be calling in at all twelve churches on his ride and pray for peace in Ukraine and the middle East, at each of his stops.

Last year Malcolm and Shirley completed the ride by tandem. This year will be a solo effort due to Shirley's injury (unrelated to cycling!)

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