Archbishop of Canterbury judges Hampshire motorbike show

The Custom and Classic Bike Show was held at Braishfield Social Club on Sunday, October 27. Dozens of bikers from across the area came to show off their bikes and meet with members of the community.

Attendees could also enjoy tea, cake and drinks, as well as live music provided by the Riverside Concert Band.

There was also a raffle and a book stall, with money raised going to Prostate Cancer UK.

Hundreds of people attended the event (Image: Chris Atkinson)

The Archbishop visited the bike show as part of his visit to the Winchester Diocese, which lasted from Friday, October 25 to Sunday, and which has taken he all through the south Hampshire area.

The event was organised by Revd Tom Benson, who is a keen biker.

He said: “There’s a really strong biking community around here. When we heard that the Archbishop was coming to meet people outside of a church context, it seemed like a really good opportunity to put the two together – for him to meet the people and the people to meet him.”

Revd Benson said that he hopes the bike show can become an annual event which brings the community together. He said: “It’s really exciting, it’s drawn people who are focused on bikes or focused on the church and put them in the same space. It’s a really good thing.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury (left, in blue) examines some bikes with Revd Tom Benson (right) (Image: Chris Atkinson)

Paul Fielder, former chair of the Braishfield Social Club, said he thought the event will “put the club on the map.”

He said: “I think it’s a great thing that the church and the social club have been able to get together and put such an event on. It’s bringing in lots of people to the village.

“And with the great honour of having the Archbishop come here as well, it’s certainly put the club on the map.”

Also in attendance was the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen.

He said: “I think it’s all down to the fact that Tom, the vicar here, has a passion for bikes, but he also has a passion for people, and he has a passion for the good news of Jesus and he loves to bring those things together in a way that is open and accessible – it builds community and turns into something that is good to come through.

“For me, this is no less church than the things we do inside the church walls.”

The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen (Image: Chris Atkinson)

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Speaking about the event, The Archbishop of Canterbury said: “I am gripped with fascination. I don’t know anything about motorbikes, and I just think it is unbelievably interesting and really fun.”

When asked about his visit to the Diocese of Winchester, he said: “I’ve loved it.

“I think what it’s reinforced for me, right across this country and this area I’ve seen it very clearly, churches are partnering with others to look after people in the community and to build up the church and let people know the love of God through Jesus Christ. And they do it without any concern about people’s faith or non-faith or domination or ability.

“We’ve just come from a lunch where 75 homeless people were being served and looked after, it was just fantastic.”