January 1993

NORWICH 1993

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the first newsletter of this year, Norwich here we come! Route planning is well under way, accommodation is almost settled and everyone is already working hard to make this year as special and successful as last year.

Pilgrim News

Gary O’Brien is planning to walk to Santiago de Compostela, following the way of St. James next summer and if anyone is interested in joining him, please call Gary .

Jo Hennessy now has a BA in Experimental Psychology from Oxford and is doing post-graduate studies in Occupational Psychology at Sheffield. Her father tells us that in the summer of 1991, Jo spent eight weeks with an Opus Del group in Peru teaching basic hygiene and helping to build a playground for the local children.

Edna Davies has become a grandmother, her daughter gave birth to George Oliver on January 13th, he weighed in at 5lbs 3oz.

Ruth Allanson (Glastonbury 2) is teaching in Greece for a year but managed to spend some time with her pilgrim friends during Christmas and New Year.

Glenda (née Kelly) and Roger Galvin recently celebrated the birth of their first child.

Anne de Normanville (Buckfast l&2, St Wilfrid’s and Papal Pilgrimages) has recently moved to Epsom whilst remaining as a teacher at St Cecilia’s in North Cheam where she is the coordinator for Science and Technology. The last few summers have seen her in Walsingham for the New Dawn Conference but there is always a chance that Anne may walk with us again some time.

Anthony (Ant) Evans is getting married this year; the wedding will be in Southwick, Sussex.

John Castle, designer of our first pilgrimage posters, died of a heart attack on 23rd October, 1992. The funeral took place at St Joan’s in Farnham on Friday, 30th October. His logo of a happy walking couple summed up the spirit of our first pilgrimage in 1975. It was re-used for the pilgrimage in 1985.

Pilgrims On The Move

Sister Margaret Crinyion OSM is now living a contemplative life at St Philip’s Priory, Oxford.

John Cullen R I P

John's widow, Mary, has been in touch to express her thanks for what was done at the time of his death and later at his funeral. Mary has asked for this thank you to be included in the newsletter because of all the letters and photographs that have been sent to her. At the end of her letter Mary added that their first grandchild, a girl, was born on 23rd November 1992 weighing in at 3lbs 7½ oz and is doing well. Our best wishes to Mary and her family.

Grace With A Difference

St Chad’s, the Anglican church here in Bishop’s Tachbrook, publishes a substantial monthly newsletter and I thought you might be interested in one of the humorous graces from this month:

Down with your head.

Up with your paws.

Thank the good Lord.

For the use of our jaws.

Thank You

Many of you will have received a letter from Edna Davies asking for your prayers for a friend of hers, Edna is unable to thank everyone individually but she has asked me to include this thank you in the newsletter. -

“Thank you all so much for the wonderful responses to Rosemary’s story; the prayers, the Mass, the candles, the phone calls, letters, comments on Christmas cards and practical help. Rosemary’s first reaction was to shed tears of joy followed by confidence. Each time she returns to hospital for treatment she goes in with a smile on her face, when she returns home Rosemary is still pleasant despite her obvious pain. She is confident the pain won’t last long as all the pilgrims are praying for her. So many times I have tried to coax pilgrims to venture North (it’s not as scary as you think), I haven’t any spare beds but there is plenty of floor space If anyone feels they could possibly sleep on a floor (!) then please, please come Bring your musical instruments, singing voices or just your big happy smiles with you - Rosemary is a fun-loving person and would love to meet you. Ring or write and let me know what date is convenient and I will choose the most popular date. Alternatively, you can simply arrange something between yourselves and tell me when to expect you.”

Can You Help ?

Claire Fellingham is willing to do the drinks this year but needs someone to insure her on their car and let her drive it during the pilgrimage. An added complication is that Claire will go home for a couple of days due to her exam results so, ideally, the car driver would be willing to cover the drink stops for those two days. If you can help please call Claire .

Messing About On The River

Patrick Reeve and Phil Sharp are organising another one of the Easter boat trips from 9th to 16th April, the cost is about £120 and places are very limited call Patrick  or Phil  for details.

Don’t forget, details for the next newsletter should be sent to me .

Until then - God Bless.