Story
September update: The bike has been enjoying a relatively lazy summer.
I'm grateful for all the support received since the end of the journey and enjoyed giving a number of talks about the 'adventure'.
On November 11th Jenny and I will be joining others at Westcliff for a visit, in the Home's 75th year, by the President and the Vice-President of the Methodist Conference.
Newsflash: Robert completed the journey arriving at Westerley Minehead on 31 May.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Daily updates on progress as I cycle can be found by clicking on updates just above. To see more pictures, click on 'view gallery' above.
In 2024, Methodist LWPH celebrates the 75th anniversary of the opening of the first Westerley Home at Westcliff-on-Sea. My aim is to raise awareness of the Homes, the Christian Care they offer residents today, and their Methodist Heritage. All being well...
April 16 at 10.15am: send-off from Westerley, Westcliff-on-Sea, heading north towards Westerley, Woodhall Spa.
On the way I'll visit places connected with Methodism, including Culford School (April 22) where I taught for over 30 years. Then on to the East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre at Wighton near Wells-next-the-Sea which opened in 2023 (April 26). https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/news/the-methodist-blog/new-methodist-museum-opens-in-norfolk/
From Woodhall (May 3/4), I'll take a short train ride to Scunthorpe and cycle to Epworth Rectory, in north Lincolnshire, to be there for Bank Holiday Monday (May 6). Epworth is the place where the Wesley family lived. John Wesley and his younger brother Charles were both born here. https://epwortholdrectory.org.uk/
From Epworth, the next stage will be cycling south-west via Nottingham, Coventry and Cirencester to arrive at Gainsborough House, Milborne Port, in time for their Chapel Dedication Service on May 23 - which is also my 69th birthday.
Then, the final rather hilly lap to Westerley, Minehead. I hope to see the coastline around the end of May and complete a LWPH homes 'coast-to-coast'. Plan to carry a smallish pebble from the beach at Southend to throw into he sea at Minehead.
My cycle ride pace will be leisurely! The intention is to call in at Church and Chapel coffee mornings, services, and other events which will all help promote knowledge of, and interest in, the Homes. Invitations welcome!
My aim is to meet people and raise awareness of the Homes which are one small part of our shared Methodist Heritage.
If you would like donate to LWPH in their 75th year then donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure.
Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to LWPH.
Thank you
Robert