Tractor train held as part of Ride + Stride in Dorset

The event, held on September 12 as part of the annual Ride + Stride campaign, was the brainchild of farmer Tim Frizzle and his wife Sarah, churchwarden of St Thomas a Becket Church in Lydlinch.

The tractor tour took passengers through the Dorset countryside, stopping at churches in Stourton Caundle, Bishops Caundle, Holwell, Mappowder, Hazelbury Bryan, King’s Stag, and Stock Gaylard.

Mr Frizzle said: "There were plenty of smiles along the way and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the chance to see the countryside and its churches from a rather different perspective."

Ready for the off! The tractor trailer sets of from St Thomas a Becket, Lydlinch, taking passengers on a wonderful adventure around local churches in support of Dorset Historic Churches Trust’s Ride + Stride (Image: Dorset Historic Churches Trust)

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A customised trailer and seats were loaned by local agricultural engineering company Chris Cox, with donations from passengers going towards the Ride + Stride total.

The Dorset Historic Churches Trust is raising funds to support the upkeep of churches across the county, many of which are listed buildings facing mounting repair costs.

His Honour David Grant, chairman of Dorset Historic Churches Trust, said: "For many villages, the church is much more than a place of worship.

"It is an important part of the community, a link to generations past and a much loved feature of the Dorset landscape."

He said the trust helps congregations cover the cost of essential repairs to ensure churches remain part of the landscape for future generations.

Churchwarden and Ride + Stride representative John Barrett praised the Frizzles’ contribution to this year’s campaign.

Mr Barrett said: "Ride + Stride is all about finding different and enjoyable ways to support Dorset’s wonderful churches and Tim and Sarah’s tractor idea is a fantastic example.

"It brought together people of all ages for a brilliant day out while raising valuable funds for the churches that are such an important part of our communities and landscape."

Tim and Sarah Frizzle from Lydlinch, who came up with the idea of the tractor trailer ride to raise money for Ride + Stride organised by Dorset Historic Churches Trust (Image: Dorset Historic Churches Trust)

St Thomas a Becket Church in Lydlinch recently received a grant from the trust to support its bell restoration project.

Ride + Stride is the trust’s main annual fundraiser.

Funds raised will support repairs and conservation work at Dorset churches, many of which are maintained by small, ageing congregations with limited resources.

The tractor tour is one of many inventive ways participants have supported the campaign.