Details of the upcoming pilgrimage reunion in Gloucester can be found below. If you would like to join the reunion, please:

Let Bruce and Hazel know (reunion@thepilgrims.org.uk) as soon as possible; the booking deadline is 16th October to help with preparations.  

Please advise us how you are travelling to the reunion (e.g. car or public transport) so that Bruce can work out logistics for the walk and parking arrangements.

Venue

St Catharines Church Hall London Rd Gloucester GL2 0RR

Hosts Bruce 07745 238486, Hazel 07729 314679

Accommodation

The hall will accommodate about 15 pilgrims. There are loos, sinks and a kitchen with a range cooker.   There is a lot of space in the church plus two loos plus some carpeted areas.  Any kit will have to be moved back into the hall on Saturday between leaving for the walk at 0900 and after five pm. On Sunday kit should be packed and back in the hall before 1000.

Pilgrims should bring their usual kit e.g. plates, cutlery, mats, sleeping bags and pillows. The hall and church could be cool at night. 

Friday 23rd

Arrival from 1530 with parking at the church or in Kenilworth Avenue nearby as overflow (the church car park only takes a dozen cars).

Soup & bread supper about 1900.

Saturday 24th

0700 rise time then breakfast.   If there is adverse weather or those not wishing to do the walk then we can provide suggestions for other interesting things to do in Gloucester.

Pilgrims to fill cars at 0900 and drive to Stamages Lane car park in Painswick to arrive about 0930 (there is a machine to pay for parking). 

The buses would be awkward and this moves some cars out of the church car park. There is a memorial service for which the church is booked from 1200 to 1700.  The hall loos may be needed in which case the hall to foyer internal door will be locked.

The 10 mile walk is through Painswick and up on to Painswick Beacon for the view. We go down off the hill on the Wysis Way, cross the M5 and make our way around Robinswood Hill to the park cafe for hot drinks and light lunches.  The next section is a zigzag through housing, parks and industry to the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. Northward along the canal takes us to Gloucester Docks and the Quays where there should be time to look around before going further through town to the Cathedral.  I will arrange transport for the car drivers back to Painswick so the cars can be taken back into Gloucester (probably near St Catharines). 

Evensong is at 1630 in the Cathedral (we know a Camino pilgrim on the guide staff so he may arrange something extra).   

The vigil mass is at 1800 in St Peters on London Rd which is about ten minutes walk from the Cathedral. After the service, walk further out on London Rd back to St Catharine’s.

Hazel aims to have dinner ready at 1915.

Sunday 25th

Coffee is from 1000 in church and the service is at 1030 until about 1145.

It is Half-Term so the hall is not needed for kids groups but kit should be packed and the hall tidy before 1000.  It helps us to have the loos available.