St Lawrence, Bourton-on-the-Hill

We couldn't join in the national Ride and Stride day this year but we were able to hold our own Ride and Stride event on Saturday October 11th.

Dana had challenged us to do last year's route in reverse so nine walkers from Blockley and Bourton and two dogs gathered at St. Lawrence Church, Bourton on the Hill at 11:30am, ready to walk to Blockley for a lunch stop before an afternoon walk to Ebrington.

The weather was good for walking with very little wind and a comfortable temperature as we made our way out to the edge of the Batsford Arboretum and up the footpath over the hill towards Blockley. We enjoyed the woods and were careful crossing the road! Soon Blockley came into view across the fields and we walked down the hill watched by a few curious cows.

Once at St.Peter & St. Paul’s church, Blockley we posed for our group photograph, kindly taken by a visiting Father Brown fan, before taking a break for lunch which included delicious pears from Nick and Ginny’s pear tree. At 1:30, having recharged the batteries, seven of us continued onward toward Ebrington. We walked uphill to the top of Park Road before taking the footpath past the large herd of deer who moved together with thundering steps but kept their distance. Our way continued on footpaths and quiet country lanes, past a rippling stream, skirting Draycott, all the time crossing or walking on the edge of a mix of fields, some with grass, some with recently turned soil, some with sheep and some with horses, two of which became very interested in us! Eventually we walked down into Paxford.

In Paxford we paused to look at two chapels that are now converted into holiday homes, one we had noticed last year, the other, an old Bethel baptist chapel, we had not noticed before. This year has been a bumper year for apples and several villagers had kindly left containers of fruit for people to help themselves at their gates. Needless to say, they made a welcome, tasty and refreshing snack.

Leaving Paxford we passed the road turn to Ebrington and found our next footpath where there were a few blackberies still ripe for picking. We came to a lane which we crossed only to be faced with a field of cows and a bull. For some of us this was something of a challenge but the dogs were well behaved and we trod cautiously but firmly through as the cows and bull did not show much interest in us. After that the only obstacles were an airstrip, some lively sheep and a few distant cows. Just before 4pm we walked into Ebrington with a sense of achievement to find a warm welcome in St. Eadburgha’s church from members Sheila and Margot who provided tea and coffee, along with delicious banana cake and shortbread.

It was a great walk for a good cause and we knew others were thinking of and praying for us during the day. It was an opportunity to get to know each other a little better and to support the work of the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust and our own village churches. We are grateful to all who sponsored and supported us, including Derek and Sarah who were on call with their car for any emergency. We hope to take part again next year…….

Donations can still be made for the next week or so through JustGiving; each church has its own page. - click on the links below.

www.justgiving.com/page/ebrington-church-2

www.justgiving.com/page/blockley-church-2

www.justgiving.com/page/bourton-on-the-hill-church-5

St Lawrence, Bourton-on-the-Hill

Ride and Stride 25

Harvest Services

Welcome bellringers!

Bourton on the Hill church musicians in concert