About the challenge
Our CEO takes on an epic cycling pilgrimage, visiting over 100 choirs across England and Wales in just 50 days of cycling. This mammoth challenge covers a whopping 2,700 miles, with JJ raising much-needed funds for cathedral music along the way.
Hear from JJ: “I’m raising vital funds for Cathedral Music Trust, so we can continue to support cathedral musicians and choirs through our programmes – including the Cathedral Music Support Programme and Church Choir Award. In 2024, we invested £500,000 in the sector, giving grants to 28 Anglican and Roman Catholic music departments across the UK.”
Blog
Leg 3: 25 July 2025
Days 12-13: Lichfield to Worcester, via Coventry, Birmingham & Warwickshire
- Distance Covered: 134 miles (running total = 740 miles)
- Choral foundations visited: 7
- Old teachers told off by: 2
I had a lot planned for just two days of cycling – the geography of the West Midlands meant that visiting seven different choral foundations is feasible in the space of around 100 miles – but found myself packing in even more, with what felt like essential detours to places of childhood memory. For those that don’t know, I’m a Brummie, both in terms of upbringing (North Warwickshire/Birmingham) and in my heart (Up the Villa!). These days of the pilgrimage therefore took me to places I’d not visited in years, and how very wonderful it was to reacquaint myself with them! I hope you’ll forgive a little self-indulgent reminiscence:
Cycling form Lichfield to Coventry, I routed myself via the picturesque Kingsbury Water Park and felt a jerk of childhood delight on passing the entrance to Drayton Manor theme park. I took a snap decision to add a few miles by going back to the village where I grew up – Water Orton – assuming a visit to my Dad’s old church would just be a fly-by, but ending up meeting some of the same parishioners who’d been there when I was still in shorts (I’m a child of the 1980’s…). I followed rural routes that teenage-me had cycled regularly at weekends; went back to visit the school I went to from the age of 14 – Solihull School, by virtue of the wisdom of my piano teacher at the Cathedral, Rosemary Field, and generous support from what is now the Clergy Support Trust; went back to the crypt at Birmingham – scene of many an piano lesson with the ever patient Rosemary; stopped off at Kenilworth Castle – scene of many a school trip; dropped into Royal Leamington Spa – where I had lived some years ago; and finally into Worcester cathedral – a building I’ve probably visited more often than any other, save Birmingham.
The hours of cycling afford much time for reflection and, as I wended my way across the gentle undulations of Warwickshire, I realised how distinct an imprint these childhood and early adult experiences have left on me. I’m very much who I am today as a result of them. I’d judge that I’m much the better person for them and that feels incredibly fortunate – privileged in the best sense of the word. That privilege of exposure to joyful experiences in childhood – particularly the musical ones – ought to be the right of every child. We’re doing our part to try and make that reality here at Cathedral Music Trust; having launched the Small Sounds programme in 5 cathedrals last autumn, we’re seeing it expand to 12 venues later this year – creating new musical memories for young children and their families at the earliest stages. Doing this is a core element of our charitable purpose and something we’ll continue to strive towards in everything we do – including this challenge of cycling around the country. At times, the ride feels overwhelming, but then I remember why I’m doing it and find renewed energy to keep peddling!
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