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.

Welcome – we are so pleased that you have chosen to walk with us on this Pilgrimage even though we are unable to stay together in overnight accommodation.  We will arrange informal evening meals together where possible.

• Before starting on your first walk with us please take a lateral flow test the night before the walk and then twice a week.  These can be obtained free from a pharmacy or search for ‘order a lateral flow testing kit’ and go to www.gov.uk.
• DO NOT WALK with us if you test positive.  You will then need to report your test on gov.uk and go for a PCR test at a testing centre.
• Please follow local rules and wear masks and sanitise hands when visiting eg Churches, Pubs, etc and scan the QR Code if possible on your phone.
• CAR SHARING – The Government advice on car sharing is:
  • Use a hand sanitiser before and after a journey.
  • Wear a face mask.
  • Share with the same small group only.
  • Keep the car well ventilated – windows open if possible.
  • Sit as far away from each other as possible.
  • Clean car surfaces after every journey – especially seat belts and internal/external handles.
• REGISTRATION FORM – Please make sure that you have completed the online registration form at thepilgrims.org.uk even if you are only walking for a day or two.
• WHATSAPP – Join our WhatsApp Group if you are able for ease of communication between us.  The sign-up details are in my previous post.
• GPX FILES – these will be posted up very shortly on the page for each day and can be downloaded onto a Smart Phone from the Pilgrim website.
• ARROWS – Walk Leaders/Front Markers will use ORANGE ARROWS if over 10 Pilgrims walking.  Arrows will be used only when the walk direction changes. Back Markers will collect any arrows used and ensure nobody gets lost.
• TOWER TOUR Day 1 – Southampton to Hamble – You will need £3.25 cash if you wish to take the Tower Tour at the Royal Victoria Chapel Museum.
• HAMBLE FERRY Day 2 – Hamble to Wickham – You will need £2.50 cash.
• SUPPORT CAR – We have a support car carrying water, drinks and first aid.  Please supply your own cup/bottle for filling.
• PRAYER STOPS – Each day we will have three or four Prayer Stops and would like to invite Pilgrims to volunteer to take one of these.  These are very informal. Prayer and inspiration sheets will be made available to you.  Please see Steven if you are interested.
• SNACKS – It is advised that you take snacks each day as some lunch stops are late and some routes do not have any/many shops or cafes.  Please refer to the Route Timings.
• LUNCHES – Many of the Pubs would like to know numbers and would ask that you pre-order.  If you are coming to meet us at a Lunch stop please WhatsApp to let us know.
• CELEBRATION LUNCH Day 15 – The Queens Head, Icklesham.  The Menu will be posted on WhatsApp the week before – let me know your choices.
• DAILY DAIRY – We have an online Daily Diary where Pilgrims can post photographs and comments.  This is especially good for those who cannot be with us this year so that they can follow our progress.
• UNABLE TO WALK ON THE DAY – Registered but unable to join us or delayed – Whatsapp us or we will contact you.  
• ….And finally don’t forget those all important items ….sun lotion, hats, wet weather gear – but we do hope the sun will shine on us!

Looking forward to seeing you all.

God Bless

ChrisCoordinator  

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.

Thank you to those who have registered for the walks. For those not yet registered please do so as soon as you can using the online form so that we can confirm arrangements.

The fees are: £5 per day – £20 for one week – £30 for two weeks.

The bank transfer details for the walk fees are:

RCD A&B Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage

Account number 01079204 Sort Code 40-05-20.

The ‘Route Cards’ with full details of each of the walks together with a briefing sheet to help us stay Covid secure will be posted on this website within the next few of days.

A WhatsApp Group has been set up to help Pilgrims to connect with each other with regard to e.g. car parking, car sharing and a buddy system where are are parked at the start and finish and Pilgrims ferried back to get their car. Please try and stay within the same small group of people for car sharing. If you would like to join the Chat Group please use the link https://chat.whatsapp.com/I0fG0xQFm01DKCjvuidoBG or email YES to WhatsApp with you mobile number to david.l.fletcher@gmail.com

God Bless

Chris

Coordinator

Southampton to Rye 14th – 28th August 2021

Rather than our usual format with accommodation included, this year’s pilgrimage will constitute a series of day walks along the “Old Way” which runs from Southampton to Canterbury.

We plan to start from Southampton and walk as far as Rye. We hope to complete the remainder of the route to Canterbury on another occasion.

Each day will start and finish with prayers. There are 2/3 prayer stops each day and as usual we are looking for Pilgrims to volunteer to take Prayer Stops.

There will be a registration form to complete and a small fee of £5 per day, £20 for one week or £30 for the two weeks.

A medical form will need to be completed by everyone taking part, even if it is just for a day.

Each Pilgrim will have to arrange their own accommodation and travel. Some are staying with friends and family, some in B&Bs or camping and some are doing day trips. For those driving each day we hope to arrange that some cars will be parked at the end of the route and some at the beginning so that pilgrims can be ferried back to the beginning at the end of the day to collect cars or to be dropped off at stations. When car sharing masks must be worn and we kindly ask everyone to take a lateral flow test before the first day of walking and then every three days.  
There are plenty of stations, buses and taxis along the route and of course pub and café stops will be planned.

I do hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join us. For those who feel it is too far to travel please let Chris know if you are able to get together with others to organise your own walks.

Click here to complete online booking form

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

Hi Everyone

I just thought I would let you know that John has been very busy going over the ‘Old Way’ route to plan our walking days for this August. We will be discussing the route this afternoon and working out the logistics and more of the detail.

We plan to start from Southampton and walk probably as far as Battle. The remainder of the route to Canterbury we plan to complete on another occasion.

Each day will start and finish with prayers and we are looking for walk leaders to recce and lead each day. Please contact John if you would like to do this.

There will be a registration form to complete and a small fee of £5 per day, £20 for one week or £30 for the two weeks.

As already mentioned each Pilgrim will have to arrange their own accommodation and travel. Some are staying with friends and family, some B&Bs or camping and some are doing day trips. For those driving each day we hope to arrange that some cars will be parked at the end of the route and some at the beginning so that pilgrims can be ferried back to the beginning at the end of the day to collect cars or to be dropped off at stations.  Masks are to be worn in cars and we will ask everyone to take a lateral flow test before the first day of walking and then probably every three days.   There are plenty of stations, buses and taxis along the route and of course pub and cafe stops will be planned.

I do hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join us. For those who feel it is too far to travel please let me know if you are able to get together with others to organise your own walks.

We will confirm the walk details and issue the route as soon as possible so that Pilgrims can plan their accommodation and travel.

God Bless

Chris

Coordinator

Your Committee met recently and again it is with great regret that owing to the ongoing Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic the decision was made to postpone both the Mini and August Pilgrimages arranged for this year until 2022.

This decision was not taken lightly and was based on the risk that could be posed especially with regards to pilgrims living in such close proximity to one another in our overnight accommodation. Also area lockdowns, the emergence of variants and problems with vaccine rollout are all possible. If we had to quarantine during our pilgrimage then we may find it difficult or even impossible to get home during that period.

The Mini Pilgrimage Arundel to Guildford has been postponed until the 29th April – 2nd May 2022 and the Swansea to Hereford St Thomas Pilgrimage will now take place on the 13th-28th August 2022.

We were all really looking forward to getting back together again and with this in mind we have a sub-committee working on organising a series of day walks from the 14th – 29th August 2021. It is envisaged that these will take place within the Arundel and Brighton Diocese and will probably follow the ‘Old Way’ routes as detailed on the British Pilgrimage Trust website. Pilgrims will have to arrange their own travel, food and accommodation if needed.

For those who live further afield it is hoped that small groups may be able to get together to arrange walks at the same time and for all diary entries and photos to be shared so that we still feel connected no matter the distance. If you think that you might be able to get a small group together in your area please let me know.

Details of these pilgrimage walks will be posted on this website towards the end of April.

Please continue to stay safe and healthy.

God Bless.

Chris

Coordinator

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.