Participate in Ride & Stride and visit St Mary's in the town and the historic Heath Mission Church on Holly Road which is open following its refurbshment.

The Staffordshire Historic Churches Trust was founded in 1953 with the aim of helping churches with the cost of repairs. Ride and Stride is the annual sponsored event in aid of county Historic Churches Trusts all over England. It takes place this year on Saturday September 9th. Participants are sponsored by family and friends to visit as many churches as they can between 10am and 6pm. In 2021 85 churches took part in Staffordshire, 43 of them sent out cyclists, walkers and drivers. 21 of them cycled, 13 walked, 4 drove, and 2 used public transport. Last year the event was still reduced due to the corona virus but nevertheless over £10,000 was raised. Gift Aid will increase this amount. The money is used to make grants to churches for repairs and essential maintenance. Half the money raised by each cyclist/walker is returned to their home church. As well as having the aim of raising funds for churches in need of help, Ride and Stride Day gives the opportunity to get out and about and admire our wonderful heritage of churches, many of which are normally closed, apart from times of worship of course. A trophy is awarded each year to a participant; this year it will be to the cyclist or walker who visits most participating churches. It is also a special day of fellowship for all those taking part – whether you are welcoming visitors to your church or going out on your bike or on foot to visit other churches. It is a very practical way to remind ourselves that we are part of something much bigger than our own building and our own congregation.