THE DORCHESTER CHURCHES
SPONSORED CYCLE RIDE / STRIDE
FOR THE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST

This year, Eric Stevenson did the "RIDE" visiting 9 churches, Phyllis & Phillip Bailey did their own choice of STRIDE and The Rector, Mavis, Angela and Gordon walked the Tarrant Valley, almost 8 miles.
We started at Tarrant Hinton where warm home made cake greeted us! We took time to look round the church which has a rare Easter Sepulchre before walking the road to Tarrant Monkton. It was here that we discovered that Tarrant Rawston Church, which is in private hands, was also open and we could walk the footpath across the fields - and the stiles! This is set by the Manor House and we approached it via a flower-edged path. This was a charming little church, very well kept and on offer here was Dorset Apple cake. Next along the road before cutting across the fields to Tarrant Rushton Church which dates from the early 12th century and is cruciform in shape. It has two acoustic urns (like All Saints which has one). We then walked across a bridge back to the road and on to the pub and were met by Liz and the boys who joined us for lunch.
Feeling refreshed we completed the walk with a visit to Tarrant Keynston and Tarrant Crawford churches, the latter has wall paintings. Everyone we met was very welcoming and generous with lots of cake, a variety of drinks, apples, plums and other local produce and the churches are all well worth another visit. I would be happy to organise that on an afternoon - this time by car. A most enjoyable sponsored stride. Thank you to all who sponsored us - at the time of writing I think we have just over £500.