The Dorset Historic Churches Trust has awarded the Morshead Trophy for this year to St Nicholas Church, Silton. The Trophy is named after Sir Owen Morshead, one of the founders of the Trust in 1960.
The Trophy is open to every parish in the county and is awarded by Dorset Historic Churches Trust to the team which makes the greatest contribution to the annual Ride+Stride event, held on the second Saturday of each September.
Silton’s Ride+Stride participants raised over £2,000 in sponsorship, an amazing achievement for a small village. This is a significant contribution to the overall figure of £87,000 raised by 147 parishes across Dorset. While half of the sponsorship raised is returned to the parish, the event raises funds which allow the Trust to make grants totalling over £100,000 a year to help conserve beautiful and historic church buildings all over Dorset.
The presentation was made at a special event in Silton village hall by Chairman of the Trust, John Stokoe.
He congratulated all the riders and striders, adding “It is wonderful to see the success of a small community like Silton. It is also encouraging to be able to return to our normal activities after the disruptions of recent years.”
Receiving the trophy on behalf of the parish, determined long distance cyclist and participant Peter Williams thanked the Trust for its dedication and for ensuring that the annual Ride+Stride event is so well supported. He said that “It would be hard to maintain Dorset’s highly treasured churches without the invaluable support of DHCT”.
The event was attended by members and supporters from all over Dorset who were able to celebrate the achievement of this small but active band of volunteers.
Ride+Stride 2023 will take place on Saturday 9 September.