It’s less than 6 weeks to go to the start of this year’s pilgrimage from Worcester to Peterborough and planning is going well. However we do have an opportunity for somebody to take a free place on the pilgrimage by becoming an additional member of the support team. This would suit a pilgrim who has previously walked with us, is unable to walk this year, and would like nonetheless to be part of our pilgrimage community again by serving in this way.

The role that is available is the one that Tineke has been doing in recent years, that of “quartermaster”. (Tineke is well but feels her fitness level is insufficient to take up the role this year) The role would involve:

• Travelling in the van with the driver John Russell
• On arriving at the hall, picking up the keys from the keyholder, recording the information they provide and passing it on
• Checking the equipment, lights, fire alarms, wifi, recycling, rubbish facilities in the hall
• Putting the non-kitchen hall equipment carried in the van in appropiate places before the walking pilgrims arrive
• Working out how the bed spaces are going to be arranged and reserving spaces for the frontmakers, backmarkers and others who need this service
• Putting up the hall arrows
• Setting up for sandwich making and supervising it
• Making sure volunteers have come forward for all necessary evening and morning tasks, liaising with the coordinator
• Checking the hall after the walking pilgrims have left and returning the keys to the keyholder

It may be possible for the successful candidate to walk some sections of the route. Having somebody to do this role, for the whole 2 weeks or a shorter period, will reduce the load on the other members of the support team and help the pilgrimage run more smoothly. If interested pleace let me know.

John Chenery, coordinator for 2024