Despite the extreme heat in week 1 and some long days in week 2, the 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope successfully reached Eastbourne on 22 August, having visited every deanery in the Arundel & Brighton Diocese, plus the Cathedral, marking 50 years since our first pilgrimage.

Our hall planners had found us decent accommodation, albeit sometimes with limited facilities. The day planners had found clever routes through suburbia (both in Surrey and the south coast) and led us safely through some lovely countryside – the heathland south of Farnham and the Seven Sisters being most dramatic. We were well supported by our caterers (Penny, Hazel, Bruce & Imelda), by John in the Van, and by Clare and Fr Paul who met us on the road – so important in the heat with the risk of heatstroke. We had a good number of pilgrims, each of whom contributes something unique, and lots of day pilgrims (some from local churches, some past pilgrims). Many people came out to meet us and provide refreshments at church stops. Overall a very good pilgrimage.

So now our attention turns to next year! Gary collected suggestions for routes / destinations which were put up for voting on the rest days. These are:

Aidan
Coordinator (for a few more days)

To mark the significance of this year’s 50th Anniversary pilgrimage we’ve decided to produce a commemorative T-shirt. We need to move quickly to ensure they are delivered before the pilgrimage, so if you’re interested please order today – final deadline is 20th July.

The logo for the t-shirt has been designed for us by the diocese, based on ideas from the pilgrimage team. It features a cross with the anchor of hope, an allusion to the hills we walk over, and orange arrows.

This logo will be printed front centre on white T-shirts.

The printers offer many choices, but we are proposing 3 options (below). Sizes are taken from the printers’ website, and each product is linked to their product description.

• 100% organic cotton T-Shirt in the following sizes: XS 30/32″, S 34/36″, M 38/40″, L 42/44″, XL 46/48″, 2XL 50/52″, 3XL 54/56”, 4XL 58/60”, 5XL 62/64”, 6XL 66/68”
• 100% Polyester Performance T-Shirt in the following sizes: S 34″, M 38″, L 42″, XL 46″, 2XL 50″, 3XL 54″
• 100% Organic Cotton V-neck  WOMENS T-Shirt in the following sizes: XS 8, S 10, M 12, L 14, XL 16, 2XL 18/20

Pricing is dependent on the number of orders, but we hope to keep it down to £15 per shirt, including VAT. Definitely not over £18 without consulting those who’ve ordered.

Ordering: If you would like to order one or more t-shirts, please e-mail t2025@thepilgrims.org.uk quoting your name and the type and size of each shirt. Payment on collection when you join the pilgrimage, but as these are made to order you are making a commitment to pay.

Deadline: In order to receive the shirts before the pilgrimage, we need to place the order on 21 July, so ALL ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 20 JULY.

Our reunion to celebrate 50 years of pilgrimages is underway. You can follow us in our usual diary at www.thepilgrims.org.uk/2025/reunion50.php

The slides shared at the reunion appear below. Enjoy!

A reminder that, if you would like to join the 50-Year Reunion in Crawley on 5 April you need to book this week so that our caterers can prepare.

To book, please email reunion50@thepilgrims.org.uk

For further details, see the original post https://thepilgrims.org.uk/wp/50-year-reunion-5-april-2025/

We heard from Howard’s wife Alison that Howard passed away peacefully on Wednesday 19th March 2025 with the family
around him. Howard had been unwell for some time, but kept in touch with several pilgrims.

I think Howard may have been the first pilgrim to join us having found our website, which we started in 2000. Howard was all set to come and walk with us in 2001, and was a bit put out when we had to cancel that year because of the Foot and Mouth outbreak. But he did join us the following year and was a regular pilgrim over the next 20 or so years. Given the distance from NZ to UK, that probably means Howard travelled more miles over the years to join the pilgrimage that anyone else has or ever will.

It didn’t take Howard long to find out how the pilgrimage works!

Howard – working as usual, 2002

Howard, leading a reflection in 2003

Or standing in as an arrow…

Howard with Bernie, a year later, same t-shirt!

In 2005, Howard had had enough and collapsed in someone’s front garden outside Caterham!

Approaching Winchester in 2005, with Rev Chris at a kissing gate, the self-styled “Kissing Fr Christmases”

2006, as van-packer-in-chief

And so we might go on… when I have time to trawl through more of the archives.

We send our prayers and condolences to Alison. May Howard rest in peace.

A memorial gathering will be held 11am 12th April 2025 at RSA Birkenhead, Recreation Drive, Birkenhead, Auckland, NZ.

We’ve learnt of the death on 28 February of Cath Grafen, who walked with us between 1979 and 1981 then 1996 to 2002. In 2000 or 2002 Cath and the late Pat Heffernan earned the nickname the “wrinkly rockets” for their pace, especially in the afternoons.

From 1979 Canterbury 2 Pilgrimage

From 2000 St Chad’s Pilgrimage:

In our 2000 diary I found “Cath Grafen gave a wonderful reflection on her involvement with the pilgrimage, starting as the parent of a pilgrim in 1976, with lots of different experiences on the way, and the love and support of all the pilgrims. We concluded with a chorus of Bind Us Together.”

From 2002 Ss Chad & Cedd Pilgrimage

According to the church website, Cath’s funeral will be held at noon on Friday 28th March 2025 at Sacred Heart, Hove.

We send our prayers and condolences to Cath’s family. May she rest in peace.

Howard has untreatable liver cancer. Bruce says he would appreciate messages of support from pilgrims.

Sunday 22 September 2024 at 14.00 BST

Join Zoom Meeting – If you have not already received a Zoom invite by email and want to attend, let us know – no later than 21 September please:

AGENDA

1. Apologies
2. Acceptance of the Minutes of the September 2023 AGM
3. Review of The Heart of England Pilgrimage.
   A. Halls
   B. Routes & Timings
   C. Induction Service & Arrival/Celebration Day and Prayer Stops
   D. Service for Deceased Pilgrims
   E. Anything else
4. Treasurers Report: latest 2024 accounts
5. Election of Officers for Committee 2024-2025
   A. Coordinator (*** The new Coordinator may then chair the remaining meeting)
   B. Deputy Coordinator
   C. Chief Route Planner
   D. Chaplains
   E. Bookings Secretary
   F. Treasurer
   G. Communication & PR
   H. Safeguarding, Fire Safety & Security and Medical
   I. Minutes Secretary
6. Phil McCarthy: Plans for a National Walking Pilgrimage 2025 (not in August)
7. Progress on A&B Pilgrimage Routes & Theme for 9-24 August 2025 (provisional)
8. Support Team functions:
   A. Accommodation
   B. Church Liaison
   C. Ecumenical and spiritual development (inc prayer stops)
   D. Catering
   E. Quartermaster
   F. Equipment & Storage
   G. Drinks Car
   H. Van Drivers
   I. Webmaster
   J. Cross Design
9. Progress on Autumn Reunion 2024
10. Other 50th Anniversary Events – Spring Reunion?
11. Any Other Business
12. Meeting Dates 2025: suggested 12/1/2025, 27/4/2025, 22/6/2025 and the AGM
    on 21/9/2025