51 Thankful Villages Tour

At the end of the First World War in 1918 only 51 villages in the UK were fortunate enough to have every one of their soldiers return alive although this means that each village doesn’t have a traditional War memorial to commemorate its contribution.  So motorcyclists Dougie Bancroft and Medwyn Parry are embarking on a charity ride to visit each and every one.

The 2,500 mile, 9-day UK-wide route began at Llanfihangel y Creuddyn in West Wales last Saturday, 27th July, on board a pair of Triumph Trophey’s which have been loaned to the intrepid pair by the British manufacturer.  The route takes in virtually every UK County with representatives, often descendants of WW1 survivors, being presented with a commemorative slate plaque in remembrance of the village’s contribution.

Other than to offer recognition to the 51 villages, Bancroft and Parry aim to raise £51,000 in aid of the Royal British Legion.

Ahead of the 9-day tour Dougie Bancroft said: “Both Medwyn and I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Triumph and all our other sponsors.  We can’t wait to hit the road on the two bikes. The incredible support and assistance Triumph has shown us has enabled us to concentrate on the important job of speaking to the villages to ensure we can raise our goal of £51,000 for the Royal British Legion.”

Full details of the Thankful Villages Run can be found by clicking here.

This is the list of villages in the order by which Dougie and Medwyn will visit them:

• Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, Ceredigion
  Herbrandston, Pembrokeshire
  Colwinston, Glamorgan
  Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire
  Coln Rogers, Gloucestershire
  Little Sodbury, Gloucestershire
  Woolley, Somerset
  Tellisford, Somerset
  Chantry, Somerset
  Chelwood, Somerset
  Rodney Stoke, Somerset
  Shapwick, Somerset
  Stocklinch, Somerset
  Aisholt, Somerset
  Holywell Lake, Somerset
  Herodsfoot, Cornwall
  Langton Herring, Dorset
  East Wittering, Sussex
  Knowlton, Kent
  Puttenham, Hertfordshire
  Stoke Hammond, Buckinghamshire
  Woodend, Northamptonshire
  Strethall, Essex
  Culpho, Suffolk
  South Elmham St Michael, Suffolk
  East Carlton, Northamptonshire
  East Norton, Leicestershire
  Teigh, Rutland
  Saxby, Leicestershire
  Wysall, Nottinghamshire
  Bradbourne, Derbyshire
  Maplebeck, Nottinghamshire
  Cromwell, Nottinghamshire
  Wigsley, Nottinghamshire
  Minting, Lincolnshire
  High Toynton, Lincolnshire
  Caistor, Lincolnshire
  Flixborough, Lincolnshire
  Catwick, Yorkshire
  Helperthorpe, Yorkshire
  Norton-le-Clay, Yorkshire
  Cundall, Yorkshire
  Scruton, Yorkshire
  Meldon, Northumberland
  Hunstanworth, Durham
  Ousby, Cumberland
  Nether Kellet, Lancashire
  Arkholme, Lancashire
  Harley, Shropshire
  Middleton on the Hill, Herefordshire
  Knill, Herefordshire
  Crossgates, Powys