Land's End to John O'Groats - The Sequel

Chris Stevenson will be attempting to cycle the 1000 miles or thereabouts, from Land’s End to John O’Groats between 27th April and 13th May. As well as being a personal challenge, he will be raising some sponsorship for St Helena Hospice http://www.sthelenahospice.org.uk/ in Colchester. He will be cycling with Erwin Deppe, a colleague from Essex Highways.

Many of you will recall that Chris attempted this challenge last year and encountered a dog after 3 days, breaking his collarbone in the process and ending the tour prematurely. He assures us that he will be on the lookout for mans' best friend especially in sleepy country lanes in Devon!

If you would like to sponsor Chris it would be much appreciated and will raise much needed funds for the Hospice. If so there are two ways of doing this, either by:

• clicking on http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Stevenson1000 which is a link to the "Just Giving" online facility and make an automated donation, or 
• sending an email by by clicking this link and saying simply “YES” and the amount you would like to sponsor.

As a suggestion if you were to sponsor Chris for 1p per mile that would equate to about £10, or just nominate the amount you would like to donate.  You can do this anytime in the next 14 days or so and he will contact you after he has (hopefully) completed the ride to ask for your donation.


If the technology works (and it did last year), Chris will be posting details and photos of their progress to Facebook and Twitter.  If you have a facebook account you should be able to follow progress by clicking on the link: http://www.facebook.com/Lejoggers. If you don’t have a facebook account, click on www.twitter.com/puffinus and you should be able to view their tweets and photos!

Chris's final message is:

"Thanks for any support, and let’s hope the weather is kind to us, there are no mad dogs, and the wind keeps off when climbing the hills especially in the West Country and in Scotland!"

Lands End to John O'Groats for St Helena

Sadly Chris Stevenson's attempt to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats came to an abrupt end in a Devon country lane when, as Chris reported on his trip journal:

"I crashed heavilly, after a dog charged out of a driveway right under my wheels (the dog is fine!). At Barnstable A&E, I have been officially told that I have a broken collarbone, bruising to my right side etc. Oh yes, I also landed on my head too but the helmet saved me."

It is Chris' intention to try again next year so please watch this space and be prepared to dig deep then.

Women's Institute - March Report

The president Pat Moran welcomed six invited W I's from the surrounding area to our fashion show and make up demonstration. Seven models from our own institute paraded the cat walk wearing clothes from Country Casuals and Viyella. Their make up was from the Clarins range.

The president reported a very successful Birthday lunch last month held at the Balkerne Restaurant at the Colchester Institute.

Members are reminded that once again we are requested to make fresh cakes for St Helena Hospice to be brought to the April meeting.