Well didn't the sun shine this year for the annual parish bike ride, it's been long overdue. Folks came out with there metal steads, some clean, some not quite so clean, thin and fat tyres abounded, all keen to get round their chosen route and enjoy the afternoon. The three routes were divided equally, with thirteen riders in each! All came home safely without the need of Jenny our first aider, but thanks for her presence non the less. Margaret, Eleanor, Kelly and Helen all had the school paperwork covered. We also appreciated having the new headmistress as an impromptu starter for the big guns (tweenies and keenies routes). It was great this year to see some teenies moving up a level, everyone making solid progress.
The teenies spread their wings, coasting down Haythwaite Lane before arriving at Windyfell and a well deserved drink and biscuit from our ever present Keith and Sheila. Ina Monkhouse came a strange way for the short route but somehow still manage a refreshment stop. Local rules apply? Unsure whether a certificate was handed out in this case. All got round, by one means or another, although a little bush tuckered up past Hudbeck before the pleasant decent all the way to Bill Hoggs at Thackwood. Huge thanks to Bill who is the lynch pin to this event and to whom we are always grateful for the beautiful gardens and hospitality which we receive year in year out. Big thanks to every marshal and especially to Harrison and Elizabeth for sweeping up sometimes people, bikes and the signs. Thanks to Elizabeth and her Thackwood refreshments gang and finally but importantly the Free Church BBQ Team, what a super burger thanks!
The money raised from the event will go to the up-keep of the church. Kay has already totalled up the figures as follows;
Ride:xxxxxxx£158.00
Teas:xxxxxxx£ 78.00
BBQ:xxxxxxx£ 95.50
Donations:xxx£ 65.00
Total:xxxxxxx£395.50
Well done to one and all. See you next year.
Rod Phillips – 016974 76172
Click on the image below to view photographs of the 2016 Raughton Head Bike Ride.
