The Very Reverend Geoffrey Marshall hopped on his bike on Saturday, June 23 to officially unveil new welcome panels outside three local churches in the diocese – while collecting the ingredients for a Ploughman’s lunch along the way to feed hungry supporters at his final destination.
The new signs – designed and erected by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority – provide information about churches in the Parish of Llyn Safaddan, as well as the local area.
Geoffrey’s 25 mile ride began at his home in Brecon, where he jumped on his bike and raced along the A40 to Bwlch to unveil a plaque at All Saints Church. On his arrival Geoffrey collected a string of onions before wheeling his way to Llangors.
Arriving at St Paulinus Church in Llangors, Geoffrey climbed off his bicycle to unveil the second of three plaques while also collecting a big block of Welsh cheese.
The pedal-happy Dean then rode to St Gastyn Church in Llangasty, uncovering the final information board and picking up the last ingredients to make a tasty Ploughmans’ lunch – a pickle and a Welsh loaf.
Supporters from all three churches then congregated in the churchyard at St Gastyn’s to celebrate Geoffrey’s cycle, and toast the new welcome panels outside each of their places of worship.
Geoffrey, a keen cyclist, said: “In terms of tourism, I’m the Welsh trustee for the Churches Tourism Association so I was pleased to help inaugurate these boards with this cycle.
“The plaques are superb, they’re of really high quality in beautifully carved oak, and I hope people will use them.”
Carol Williams, Tourism Growth Area Project Officer, added: “We’re very grateful to the Dean Geoffrey Marshall for taking part in the ride to unveil this new signage.
“The boards were funded through the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s COLLABOR8 Interreg IVB NWE project, which has now finished. These new welcome panels will be a great source of information for visitors, and an example of the fantastic work and legacy the COLLABOR8 funding initiative leaves behind.”
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