The Bike Idea

St Catherine's Church, Crosskeys, serves the ‘top end’ of the Parish of Risca. Over the years the congregation has needed to seek funding for major repairs and from its own resources has financed the updating of many facilities. In this task it has been helped by the St Catherine’s Community Group, which was formed from residents of Crosskeys in partnership with the congregation under the leadership of the Vicar of Risca, Ven John Blackburn.

It has been a huge learning curve securing funding but the lessons have led to excellent work repairing the roof, windows, the kitchen, toilets and the central heating system. The gardens have also benefited from interest from the residents and resulted in St Catherine’s winning 3rd prize in the Caerphilly in Bloom competition. St Catherine’s is now in good repair and being used not only for Sunday and weekday worship but by various groups during the week.

To help raise much-needed funds, a former Altar Server, Mr Lee Woodford, offered to do a Sponsored One Hundred Mile Bike Ride on Sunday 12th October 2008. This was not any old cycle ride - Lee did

‘The Red Dragon Up Hill Ride’!

The Vicar waved Lee off just as it was getting light at 7.30am. Some six hours 45 minutes later Lee turned his cycle back into Gladstone Street and rode up to a welcoming party at St Catherine’s.

Lee’s magnificent effort has so far raised £360.00 and rising.

Gill Hollister, Reader