Classroom appeal 1: fundraising walk

On Saturday 12th September Tinker, a black & tan Fell terrier, and his owner Christopher Coade left St Martin’s church in the Northamptonshire village of Litchborough on their sponsored walk for Art Refuge. Heading South they soon arrived at the ancient cattle drovers track called Banbury Lane, which leads away 15 miles westward to Banbury Cross:
“Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross…”
Heading up Banbury Lane, Tinker had a noisy “snarl-off” with a farm cur dog at Plumpton Wood before arriving at the Crown pub at Weston, where beer was consumed. Suitably refreshed, they set off for the village churches at Weedon Lois, Plumpton, and onto Blakesley. Further beer was purchased at the Bartholomew Arms, and a couple of pork pies from the village shop which Tinker and Christopher ate sitting in the village church porch. The last leg was back to Litchborough church – a total distance covered of 15 miles, and then home and a bowl of dog biscuits for Tinker and a hot bath while supping a bottle of cold beer for Christopher.
Their walk has raised £743 so far for Art Refuge. The Coade family has raised the money in memory of Emily Coade, who was a talented young artist who loved children and who had travelled in India, Nepal, and Tibet. Tinker’s sponsored walk for Art Refuge next year in September (2010) will be called “Ten Miles with Tinker the Terrier”.