Our 2017 Pilgrimage is underway and you can follow progress at http://thepilgrims.org.uk/2017/home.php

Feel free to send messages of encouragement through the “mail the pilgrims” or “contact the pilgrims” links.

There’ve been a few questions seeking details of the upcoming pilgrimage in North Wales; the planning team have been busy behind the scenes finalising details and now the key documents are available here:

• Equipment list 2017 – what you need to bring and prepare.
• Countryside and Pilgrim Code 2017 – explains what makes a pilgrimage work, and should be read by ALL participants (new and old) before joining the pilgrimage.
• Cajufad 2017 – “Come And Join Us For A Day”, this is the summary form of the route notes, good for printing off and leaving with family, or if you want to drop in to meet the pilgrims along the route.
• Route Cards 2017 – The “full works” with detaiis of every day, including joining instructions at the start and analysis of each day’s walk. You should carry the relevant page with you on each day’s walk, just in case your route diverges from the official one or you have to take alternative transport.
• Alternative Transport 2017 – if you can’t walk a day or part of a day this will help you make your way by public transport. Carry it with you!
• Who are we 2017 – primarily designed a leaflet to give to interested passers by, it’s a good idea to read it and remind yourself why we’re making this pilgrimage. Carry a few with you to share with anyone who  is interested (it looks smarter than saying “dunno, I’m just following these orange arrows”).

I believe that printed copies of the above documents will be available at registration, but you need to read them to get to registration!!

The pilgrimage web site will be updated very soon to include these details, and as the pilgrimage progresses updates and pictures will be displayed.

If you’re not walking, feel free to send messages of support to those who are via the website.

I’ve been holding this back on the assumption that there would be a newsletter at this time, but as I’ve had no content I should publish this news anyway…

Long time pilgrim Gillian McLauchlan asks for your prayers: she is undergoing treatment for bowel cancer. A few weeks back she reported “My 4th and 5th sessions were both delayed by a week due to low white blood cell count so they have reduced the chemo format. 5 sessions down and 7 to go. Still feeling well and looking good too, a bit breathless at times so I have to walk slowly!!”

If you want to get in touch, Gillian says she’s still at the same address, Pankhurst House.

Our newsletter is now available online here. It includes more information about this summer’s pilgrimage in North Wales and other items of interest.

This year The Arundel and Brighton Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage is making its way to St Winefride’s shrine at Holywell, North Wales (“the Lourdes of Wales”).  We will start our Pilgrimage in Bangor then, after a circle round Anglesey, we will be going via Conwy and St Asaph on to our final destination at Holywell, following parts of the Anglesey Coast Path, Wales Coast Path and North Wales Pilgrims Way and visiting several Holy Wells on the way.    2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation.  We adopt the symbol of the  ecumenical movement, a boat afloat on the sea of the world with its mast in the form of a cross, whilst also reflecting on the lives of those Welsh Saints who touched the places we will be walking through.

Please see the linked poster and application form.

Pilg poster 2017

Pilg application form 2017

Please note that, although the poster refers you to the website for full details, I currently have no more information than is on the poster / form. As it becomes available, I will post it on the website.

Sheila Tilley, a stalwart of pilrimages for many years, passed away on 5th January. Her funeral will be at 13:30 on Tuesday 7th February,at All Saints C of E Church, Bark Hart Road, Orpington, BR6 0QD.

Sheila walked with us for nearly 20 years, from 1979 until 1997.

Father David Russell has been our pilgrimage chaplain since 2000, having first walked with us back in 1976 (even earlier than I had originally thought!). Over the years he has become a non-walking member of our community whilst continuing to minister to our spiritual needs.

This year David turns 80, and we are holding a little party to mark the event on Saturday 21st January 2017.

The evening will begin with mass at 7:15pm (note later time) at St George’s RC church in Hangleton, Hove, Court Farm Rd and will be followed by refreshments in the church hall.People attending can if they wish stay overnight in the church hall.

The January committee meeting which had been scheduled for Sunday 15/01/2017 will now take place in the morning of Sunday 22/01/2017 – exact time to be advised  but probably from 9.00am.

If you intend to attend the celebration, please download and complete the attached form and return it to Ceri (details on the form).

Fr David’s 80th Invitation

Father David Russell has been our pilgrimage chaplain since 2000, having first walked with us back in 1979. Over the years he has become a non-walking member of our community whilst continuing to minister to our spiritual needs.

This year David turns 80, and we are holding a little party to mark the event on Saturday 21st January 2017.

The evening will begin with mass at 6.30 at St George’s RC church in Hangleton, Hove, Court Farm Rd and will be followed by refreshments in the church hall.People attending can if they wish stay overnight in the church hall.The January committee meeting which had been scheduled for Sunday 15/01/2017 will now take place in the morning of Sunday 22/01/2017-exact time to be advised  but problably from 9.00am.

The annual reunion took place over the weekend 21-23 October. If you want to see a little of what went on, visit http://thepilgrims.org.uk/2016/reunion.php

I believe that there may be more photos coming so it’s worth looking again in a few days.

All past, present and future A&B walking pilgrims are invited to the annual reunion which this year takes place at: St Ann’s Catholic Church, 4 Brighton Road, BANSTEAD, SM7 1BS.

See 2016-autumn-reunion-invitation for details

Please help the organisers by submitting your application as soon as possible – the reunion is only 2 weeks away!