CONGREGATION members of All Saints’, Youlgrave, within the Derbyshire Peak District, have launched into a fund-raising challenge to walk the ten million steps that connect their ancient church with England’s 42 cathedrals.
Individuals and groups have chosen to tackle the pilgrimage in sections, which include the trans-Pennine trek from Manchester to Sheffield, and routes from Lincoln to Norwich, Carlisle to Newcastle, and Liverpool to Chester.
The chair of the so-named “Pommie Pilgrims” project, Canon Jane Clay, is to walk from Commercial Road, within the East End of London, where she was born, to St Paul’s, Southwark, after which on to Rochester and Canterbury.
Youlgravers carry the nickname “Pommies” after the “pom-pom” sound of the village’s Silver Band. A stone carving within the church, depicting a medieval pilgrim carrying a staff and purse, is deemed to be of a girl, and has been christened “Petra”. Her image has turn out to be the symbol of the journeyings, and every cathedral visited is to receive a memento of her.
The project is the concept of two walkers from the village, Kate Heath and Sandra Akerman, who got here up with the fund-raising idea during a banquet. All Saints’ is in need of amenities, corresponding to a kitchen, lavatory facilities, and a contemporary heating system. The goal is £42,000 towards the associated fee of modernisation. Donations are encouraged through Just Giving.
The Priest-in-Charge of the White Peak and Youlgrave benefice, the Revd Adele Barker, described the pilgrimage as “an enormous challenge. We have an exquisite church constructing, and all that’s raised can be used to make sure we will provide a warm welcome and hospitality in All Saints’ for a few years to return.”
The Pommie Pilgrimage has already raised greater than £14,000 because the first route was accomplished: from All Saints’ to Derby Cathedral. Sixty walkers set out on Palm Sunday, cheered on their way by 150 people within the church (and two donkeys) and accompanied by the band and the Women’s Institute choir.
They were greeted on the cathedral on Tuesday by the Dean, the Very Revd Peter Robinson, and the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Libby Lane.
“Most of the routes are actually covered,” Canon Clay said. “One of our elderly members who can’t walk much distance is emulating Captain Tom, and walking one mile 46 times to do the Guildford to Oxford leg.
“And, in May, we’re going to mow the beautiful field in the course of the village right into a labyrinth, in order that the youngsters can walk it, visit the village, and share in what we’re doing. It’s wonderful how the maths of all of it has worked out.”
The project will conclude on All Saints’ Day, which falls on a Friday.
justgiving.com (seek for “Pommie Pilgrimage”)
