LAUNCH EVENT

From 2-5th May we held a 'Launch Event' to kick off the Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride. 36 cyclists made their way from Harby near Lincoln, via Lincoln Cathedral, past all of the remaining crosses and the original sites of the fallen crosses, and arrived at Eleanor's tomb in Westminster Abbey on Monday the 5th May 2008.

Thanks

We would like to thank everyone who was involved in making the launch event such a fantastic success. In particular, our cyclists who have raised over £18,000 for CSTM and the Renewal at St Martins and our many friends along the route who provided food, accommodation and smiles when they were most welcome! The following are some of the people to whom we are indebted:

Richard Croft for the history and the friendship, Rev Ken Potter for the blessing and the good weather(!), Brian Rippard for the beautifully carved cross and all of the villagers at Harby for the transport and for researching parts of the route!

Ann Roberts and the Lincoln Quakers for the tea and the meeting house, Sub-dean Alan Nugent for the illuminating tour of Lincoln Cathedral and the mayors of Lincoln and Geddington for their warm receptions - as well as Rev Ian Silk and St George's, Swallowbeck

Ruby Stuckey and the Harrowby Methodists for the marvellous Lincolnshire bangers and mash! Linda in the parish office and Rev Chris Andrews at St Wulframs, Grantham; and Paul Henson and Harrowby FC for the showers and opening the bar for us!

Kate Riley and the volunteers at All Saints, Stamford for the sustenance

The village of Geddington deserves a whole website! However we are eternally grateful to Jerry Lee and the Geddington Voluntary Fire Brigade for their escort from Grafton, for the badges, the hospitality and the fellowship. Go to blazes! Thanks to Julie, Jane and the girls for preparing a terrific meal, the GVFB for paying for it, and to John for the pub olympics- we agree with the Harby folks... Bar diving is quite an event! Tony Cook and Betty Toseland were instrumental in helping us to arrange accommodation for everyone.

Father Ross Northing and the team at St Mary & St Giles, Stony Stratford - especially Eleanor for the delicious raspberry cakes and the perfect name, and Rosie for the chocolate cakes! Giles Andrews in particular enjoyed the statue of St Giles.

Rev Stephen Nuth and the Landor family in Woburn, for the tea, cakes and organ recital - an unexpected delight after a horrible hill!

Rev Lucille Kaye, Christine Pepworth and the Dunstable methodists for a terrific base and an excellent last supper... Hugh Garrod for the walking history tour... and James Chandler and the patient receptionists at Dunstable Leisure Centre for their endless kindness in letting us use the showers. Also Helen Mabely and her flautist friend for the wonderful harp concert and entertaining us all.

Eileen Mack (and Banjo) for the sterling bacon rolls and constant sanctuary and friendship in Redbourn when we did the reconnaissance missions

Rev Sally Davenport and the good folks at St Mary's, North Mymms with quite possibly the greatest refreshment stop ever!

Rev Jane Dicker and our excellent host Peter Hutchinson at Christchurch, Waltham Cross

Fr George Bush at St Mary-le-Bow; a great friend when we were on tour, and a dear friend now. The beers and the bow bells were extremely welcome on such a hot afternoon!

Marc Morris for cycling and for his insights into the lives of Queen Eleanor and Edward Longshanks... a great and terrible king! Also Maxwell Hutchinson for his film, his send offs and welcomes and general entertainment; a gentleman and a performer, and no relation of Marc's publisher Hutchinsons!

Douglas Bettell-Higgins for the massages and for travelling so far to soothe our aches!

Helen Holtam and Westminster Quakers for the food at St Martins, and Rev. Nick Holtam for the reception at St Martins and for cycling the last mile!

And finally, thanks to Canon Nicholas Sagovsky and Gwen Shaw at Westminster Abbey; and of course Colin Glover, Geraldine Ellis and Kath Lee in the Connection.