The Five Church Walk 3rd May 2011

With the rain of last year’s walk a distant memory, this year the dry earth was as rock-hard which proved to be tough on the ankles. But a strong north-easterly wind alleviated the sun’s heat, making it an enjoyable walk. Unfortunately the famous bluebells in Kings Wood were nearly over, but I have never seen as many other wild flowers so well advanced when doing the walk before.

A total of 48 walkers supported our parish church, with many others favouring the Pilgrims Hospice and Kent Air Ambulance or the other four organising churches. I salute our chairman Dennis Owen of Chartham who for many years has masterminded the accounting and gift aid tax claims. An octogenarian, he also did 8 of the16 miles, and we have already started planning next year’s (which may be the 30th – does anyone know if it is?)

It takes a while before all the money is all collected and distributed, but I believe the total for Chilham should be about £500, so with the refreshments our church might eventually benefit by about £1,000. And though it was a lot of work for helpers despatching and nourishing the walkers, it proved once again an enjoyable community event. So hats off to everybody involved!