Chairman’s Charity Walk – one stage down, nine to go!
The Chairman of the Suffolk County Council, Councillor James Finch, who has chosen Suffolk Mind as his charity of the year for 2019/2020, began his mission of completing 10 fundraising walks, along the Stour Valley Path for Suffolk Mind at the weekend. He was joined by Jeannette Finch and Juliet Allerton. In his own words, this is how they got on…
Having parked up in the Jockey Club (with thanks to William Gittus CEO) we were welcomed in the Newmarket Memorial Gardens by the deputy Mayor, Councillor James Lay and Gillian Padbury from Newmarket Town Council and some residents of Newmarket. This was a lovely welcome with tea and coffee provided.
From there, we walked up to the clock tower which marked the formal start of the walk. Then we were off. We had a wonderful walk down through the town and onto the July Racecourse. Then onto the path alongside the Devil’s Dyke dug in the 6th century. We enjoyed the sight of lots of flowers, birds and butterflies and it was very peaceful alongside the golf course.
3.5 hours later we arrived at the Marquis of Granby pub in Stetchworth to be greeted by Adrian Beckham who kindly bought the Thomas Gainsborough School minibus to meet us and return us to the Jockey Club. A grateful thanks to Adrian for this and Thomas Gainsborough Head, Wayne Lloyd, for supplying the minibus.
Another grateful thanks goes to the Jockey Club for the use of their very smart facilities which by this time were very welcome. All was very quiet because everyone was at Ascot!
We cannot wait to return to Stetchworth in 2 weeks time on 6th July to carry on the walk with all our family.
Author: Ellie Winch
