Pilgrims will be saddened to learn of the passing of one of our former pilgrim walkers from the Redhill area. Pat was an active pilgrim between 1991 and 1996, and until the stiles got too high for her.

Pat died on Thursday 25th November. Sarah, her daughter, writes: “I was hoping that you could let any of the pilgrims she walked with know. She truly loved going on the A&B Pilgrimages. We thought she was mad! It gave her such strength and focus after my dad died though. She was always so uplifted when she came home.

Her funeral mass will be in St Joseph’s Redhill, date TBA, hopefully before Christmas.”

If you knew Pat and would like to share memories or a photo, please reply to his posting with a comment. Like some of you I did not know Pat. In looking for something to share in these times, in the Middle Ages it was believed that if a pilgrim died whilst on pilgrimage, they would by-pass purgatory and go straight to heaven. It is a comforting thought to us all on life’s pilgrim journey …

and may Pat rest in eternal peace. Amen

Best wishes

David

Pilgrimage Coordinator

We’ve tracked down a couple of photos of Pat from the 1992 St David’s Pilgrimage.

The web diary for the reunion day is here

Further to the previous post with the reunion invitation, there is now a booking form. Please download it, fill it in, and attach it to the email that you send to  reunion21@thepilgrims.org.uk along with the details requested in the previous post.

Fittingly for a pilgrimage of day walks, the reunion will also be a day walk. Hold the date of Saturday 30th October 2021. Details will follow when they are ready.

Since the completion of the pilgrimage, Aidan and I have tidied up the web diary so it is worth another look:

http://www.thepilgrims.org.uk/2021/home.php

All traces of my fingers have been removed from the photos!

Thanks go to Aidan, Danny, Clare, Jim, Veronique, Louise, Fred and Simon for contributing words and pictures.

An updated version of the estimated timings for each day’s walk is attached here for you to print off or download to your devices. Do read the notes on the title page. This is version 1.1. If you spot any errors, let us know.

The estimated timings for each day’s walk are attached here for you to print off or download to your devices. Do read the notes on the title page. This is version 1.0. If changes are necessary, the document will be reissued with a new version number. If you spot any errors, let us know.

Further to Chris’ post, here is the planned itinerary:

Sat Aug 14 Southampton to Hamble
Sun Aug 15 Hamble to Wickham
Mon Aug 16 Wickham to Havant
Tue Aug 17 Havant to Chichester
Wed Aug 18 Rest Day
Thu Aug 19 Chichester to Arundel
Fri Aug 20 Arundel to Steyning
Sat Aug 21 Steyning to Pyecombe
Sun Aug 22 Pyecombe to Lewes
Mon Aug 23 Rest Day
Tue Aug 24 Lewes to Berwick
Wed Aug 25 Berwick to Polegate
Thu Aug 26 Polegate to Penhurst
Fri Aug 27 Penhurst to Westfield
Sat Aug 28 Westfield to Rye

We have recently learnt that Roger died in November after a long illness.

Roger walked with us between 2009 and 2014. He was a gentle, kind and enthusiatic pilgrim whose presence enhanced the pilgrimages that he took part in, particularly the spiritual side of the pilgrimage. He served as a church liaison officer. The other coordinators for these years and I were grateful for the general help and advice he gave.

Please visit his page on the Caring Bridge website.

Some pictures of Roger from the archives:

Pilgrims! If you access the link below before the end of New Year’s Eve, you can rent a video for free:

https://aec.rcaos.org.uk/latest/stthomasofcanterbury2020?fbclid=IwAR0rwlHaxM5lIlNEsfuii7IDW92hmm1M7jNSnZhgCh3R9ByRHlizIXRx9G4

This film follows Fr Marcus Holden and Fr Nicholas Schofield as they journey from London to Canterbury. Along the way they discover the story of St Thomas a Becket and some fascinating traditions: the Rood of Boxley, the splendour of Rochester, the ‘second Carmel’ at Aylesford and many more.

By retracing the steps of the medieval pilgrims, this film draws out the rich Christian heritage of England and reflects on what it means ‘To Be A Pilgrim’.

Thanks to Lesley Brennan for bringing this to our attention.