Didn’t we have a lovely day the day we went to the Abbey? Yes, it was unforgettable…. it was the day the heavens opened and absolute torrents beat mercilessly down… through the roof of Dorchester Abbey, flooding the floor: pools of it (had it been arranged ready for the next grant application to OHCT?). It was all hands to the deck, and never have I seen such a distinguished line-up mopping away (our Chairman Basil, and Sir Hugo Brunner, and Canon Sue Booys, all in their glad-rags….). And was it my imagination, or was it colder out than in? We’d all arrived ever so early and felt a bit shy at that stage anyway. We sat in beautifully-orchestrated order, dripping gently.
BUT…. we are Riders and Striders; we let nothing get in our way, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex evidently feel the same and their helicopter did eventually get through the storms to us. The moment they arrived, all was forgotten and we exhaled deeply, enjoying the small amount of necessary pomp surrounding their entrance ; Lord Lieutenant MP, High Sherriff, Chair of District Council, OHCT President and Chair, the vicar of the Abbey and the local Monsignor (complete with vermilion and black robe and immaculately-ironed cotta – this is the sort of thing your correspondent notices). There was a right-on, smart Equerry and a very correct RAF cadet, who had earlier turned out to be a whizz at mopping.
So… the Earl looked handsome, tall and lean. Countess Sophie in a turquoise coat-dress, not a hair out of place. We sang ‘Now Thank We All Our God’ (translated from the German by your proud correspondent’s great great aunt, Catherine Winkworth) at the tops of our voices (OHCT needs NO choir) and the short service of Thanksgiving for our Jubilee included the Bishop of Dorchester’s exhortation to keep up the good work, and prayers from the Monsignor.
Then, whilst the Royal couple looked at The Gallery, a project supported by OHCT, there was a tremendous, organised, intricate movement of people (‘Stately as a Galleon’ was what came into my mind) as we Riders and Striders got into our pre-determined 6-person horseshoes according to area to be presented to either the Earl or the Countess. And it worked; Richard lethbridge and Sue Tyser shepherded them round and everybody got their bit of what really seemed to be sunshine emanating from our visitors; they were brilliant at chatting informally and asking people about Ride and Stride. I think everyone there must have felt personally encouraged to do more this September as a result.
Then the cutting of the cakes; the commemorative mug for him presented by Robin Fieth in full cycling gear and a posy for her presented by Chloe; they had done us proud. Thank you, Edward and Sophie!
After they’d gone we had a tremendous time meeting each other, drinking our coffee and eating our delicious cake. Your correspondent met lots of people she needed to know, and she hopes everyone else did, too. We went out into the continuing deluge well satisfied.
Roll on, Saturday September 13th!
Gillian Argyle