This year Lorne, Ivo, Sylvie and I are going to ride for our local Church, Hempstead All Saints, and the Norfolk Churches Trust. 

Many of you will know that I have been taking part in the annual Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride for the last 10 years and you have been very generous in your support.  I apologise for holding out the cap again, as I know that this is a difficult year for everyone, but our extraordinary church buildings continue to face their own financial challenges and so any help you can give will be hugely appreciated.

Last year was another extraordinary year for the Bike Ride which raised £130,156. This meant the Bike Ride has raised over £4 million since its inception in 1983. This money has allowed the trust to continue its amazing work in helping to save the fabulous medieval churches of Norfolk, of which there are over 600, the largest concentration anywhere in the world. Anyone who has visited Norfolk will appreciate what an important part of the local landscape they play. They are well worth a visit as they house a wealth of architectural and historical interest. Without the NCT's help many would have been lost and many are at serious risk without continued financial help. 

This year I am planning to do it with all three children, plus a couple of other friends, so I am looking forward to showing them some of my favourite churches that I have discovered over the years.

Nearly all the churches in Norfolk will be open on the 10th of September and we are going to try to visit as many as possible in one day. We have set ourselves a minimum of 20 churches.