A FUNDRAISING total of £2,000 from Bratton was celebrated at the presentation of the Brooke Cups for the 2012 ‘Ride and Stride’ event.
The presentation took place at St James’ Church, Bratton by Lord Peter Brooke, former Northern Ireland Secretary of State.
The ‘Ride and Stride’ event is an annual fund raising day, held in September, when participants are sponsored to visit churches on foot, by bicycle or on horseback between 10.00am and 6.00pm. The cups are awarded to the parishes that were most successful in raising money.
Over 350 people took part, with 70 representing St. James and raising over £2,000 of the county total of over £30,000. 17 junior members from Bratton took part with two of them visiting 24 churches during the course of the day.
Bratton Parish retained the Brooke Cup (for the church with most riders/money) and also won the new Junior Cup. Lord Peter Brooke, who donated the cups, and Charles Graham from the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust presented these prizes during the December Family Service. A display of parish ‘Ride & Stride’ participants had been prepared in the church.
Cally Walters and Jude Curtis were congratulated on their roles as parish organisers of this event over many years. Peter and Hazel Brown were presented with their joint prize for visiting 24 churches on their bikes. They first took part in this event in a child-seat behind their parents.
Next year’s event is scheduled for 14th September 2013, and the organisers say that fair weather has been booked!
Lord Peter Brooke, former Northern Ireland secretary of state, presented both Cups to Bratton parish. The Adult Cup was presented to Cally Walters and the Junior Cup was received by Hazel and Peter Brown and Rhianna Steele.
