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
