May Monarch’s Way ride in aid of Findon school PTA
FGCC to ride the Monarch’s Way – in aid of Findon St John the Baptist school’s PTA
…for new playground markings and other projects for the children
At the end of May (2021), pandemic allowing, a group of trusty cyclists from the Findon Gentlemen’s Cycling Club, several of whom have close connections to the Governing Body at Findon Primary School, plan to ride 110 miles of the Monarch’s Way to raise some funds for our village school’s PTA.
Locals will know that the Monarch’s Way is a long-distance trail that closely follows the route taken by Charles ll after defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Over a period of six weeks, with Parliamentary forces in hot pursuit, Charles tried in vain to make his escape through Wales before turning south across the Cotswolds to try his luck at various coastal ports in the south-west but each time encountering Oliver Cromwell’s troopers. Turning east from Dorset through Wiltshire and Hampshire, Charles then rode along the South Downs, passing through Findon, until he reached Shoreham from where he took a ship for France.
We only plan to ride about a sixth of the length of the 625 miles trail. The four-day ride will be part-educational as the pupils of our school will be encouraged to plot our progress daily and hence sharpen their knowledge of history and geography. The riders will be paying all their own expenses and hope to attract sponsorship from local residents, businesses and parents; all funds will go to the school’s PTA to benefit projects and initiatives for our children.
Given what a tough year everyone has had, particularly for those in school, it will be good to try and achieve something that will help our young pupils whilst they continue with their re-adjustment to normal school life.
Do look-out for the sponsorship appeals that will come from the school PTA and please donate generously to this worthy cause, which you can do via their St John the Baptist school PTA Just Giving page
John Roche BNTR & CJ
Chairman of Governors St John The Baptist School
See the planned routes: Monarch’s Way ride routes
A total ride of 164 miles and 13,300 feet height to be climbed – can we do it?