Picture a quaint English village and the chances are there'll be a church right at the heart of it.

These wonderfully historic buildings are an intrinsic part of our landscape – we love to see them standing proud in our towns and villages, whether we worship in them or not.

Most of us expect them to be there and available to us for some of the most important family days of our lives, be those weddings, christenings or sadly, funerals.

However we sometimes forget that churches cost a great deal of money to keep going and be there for our occasional use or enjoyment..

If they fall into disrepair (or sadly these days might be vandalized) they may need urgent attention before it is too late and we might lose them.

Saturday 11th September is 'Ride + Stride' or "Open Church" day when all our churches will be open all day so you can visit as many churches in Rutland as possible (there are 64) or just a few.

This is a fund raising day for Rutland Historic Churches Preservation Trust and any church of your choosing.

RHCPT is a local charity that raises money and distributes it to those churches most in need of repair.

Covid 19 kept so many of us away from our churches – now is your chance to get out into the beautiful Rutland countryside and visit them

You can help and enjoy yourself into the bargain.

Why not form a village group (walking or cycling) and join the biennial 'Ride and Stride' fund-raising event around the county's villages: riding a bike or a horse or walking.

You are welcome to get sponsorship for your efforts or simply donate to the cause and in return you get to enjoy our glorious countryside and visit churches you might not have been to before.

Alternatively, you can help in your local church for an hour by welcoming visitors or providing refreshments which are always a treat.

There are prizes on offer too – for the person (or team) who visits the most churches and for the most outstanding walking achievement.

For more information and to print off your sponsorship form visit the website www.RutlandRideAndStride.org.uk or check out the Trust's Facebook page Ride and Stride Rutland

If you'd like to speak to someone direct, please contact Richard Foulkes on 01572 722192 or Sue Thomas on 01780 410085.

• Remember, if you have an event to promote, please do so FREE OF CHARGE on Nub news by clicking the link for our FREE 'What's On' events listing service and adding your details.