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:
- Blackburn to Durham
- York to Blackburn
- Winchester to Ely
- Blackburn to Isle of Man
- Norwich
- Hereford
- Southampton to Canterbury
- Offa’s Dyke
If you’ve not already voted, you can express your preference (up to 3 choices) by leaving a comment on this post. These will be added to the votes already recorded, and the AGM will consider the 3 front runners.
Talking of the AGM, we’ve had to move the date, so it is now on Sunday 14th September 2025 at 2pm, as a Zoom meeting. The AGM is open to ALL pilgrims, past and present. If you would like to join, and aren’t on the current committee, please let me know (comment on this post, use “contact the pilgrims”, or e-mail me directly if you have my address). I will share the Zoom link nearer the meeting.
The AGM includes looking back at this year’s pilgrimage (what went well, what we could have done better, etc). You can provide written feedback by email (if you were there you’ll have my email from messages about T shirts, diary, etc).
After the wash-up, I hand over to the new coordinator, Gary, for the discussion about next year.
Please do engage in this process it’s YOUR pilgrimage, not just the committee’s!!
Hope to see many of you at the AGM.
Aidan
Coordinator (for a few more days)
I would love to see the Pilgrimage come North again, so my vote Blackburn to Durham.
Thanks Aiden for all your hard work-well done
———–
ref Blackburn to Isle of man
consider the Grand Prix this year
MANX GRAND PRIX 17th Aug to 29th Aug
I prefer Winchester to Ely
then Norwich
Gary, All the best for 2026
Wonderful experience on P{ilgrimage this year, thanks to all for organisation and welcome.
Will hope to join again next year.
My votes are:
Winchester to Ely
Southampton to Canterbury
York to Blackburn
Blackburn to the Isle of Man
Despite Simon’s note that it’s in the middle of the Manx GP races?
Maybe not then… Durham sounds a good choice!
Blackburn to Durham
York to Blackburn
Blackburn to Durham
Thank you Aiden for all your hard work.
My preference would be Winchester to Ely.
Hi, Aidan,
Unfortunately I shall be unable to attend the AGM as I shall be in Medjugorje (together with Maurice Hickman) on the day that it is held.
Although I only joined on three days this year and did not stay overnight it was obvious to me that the organisation was first class throughout. Well done everybody.
Of the choices on offer for 2026 I would favour York to Blackburn.
Winchester to Ely
Blackburn to Durham
Offas Dyke though this is a mega tough walk maybe tackled over two years!
HI Aidan
Please include me on the AGM, via zoom.
I really missed walking with you all this year. I was doing a mini Pilgrimage of my own, accompanying my husband ‘2 metre Peter’ during his hospital stay. We were in x 3 different wards, and eventually discharged on 26 August, after just over a month in hospital! I did feel very connected via prayer to the Pilgrimage.
Two main choices for next pilgrimage.
WINCHESTER TO ELY
Or YORK to BLACKBURN
As l work l have limited time so could only make possible 2 days.
Unfortunately away for AGM so won’t be zooming.
Suggestion, can you contact Lourdes Office and ask to do a pitch at one of their many training days pre Lourdes , lots of ‘new’ blood.
Makesure your pilgrimage does not clash with A& B pilgrimage, their dates would be available for next year.
I can’t remember which choices I made, but lease take these choice over the ones I originally voted: Norwich and Winchester to Ely