A NEWLY launched pilgrims’ trail within the North York Moors National Park commemorates St Aelred, Abbot of Rievaulx Abbey from 1147 to 1167. The abbey is one in every of the 12 churches on the 41-mile trail, which begins and ends available in the market town of Helmsley.
Aelred’s guide for novices, The Mirror of Charity, described the physical hardships and spiritual rigours of the religious life, but said: “Everywhere peace, in all places serenity, and a marvellous freedom from the tumult of the world.”
Historic rural churches on the Upper Ryedale route include the tiny St Mary Magdalene’s, East Moors, and St Mary’s, Scawton, built by the monks who built the abbey, and structurally unchanged. Two Methodist churches, in Helmsley and in Rievaulx itself, are also a part of the trail.
The route goes through the natural panorama of the moors. Routes for horse riders and cyclists run alongside those for walkers. “The churches of the trail have been a part of the landscape and fabric of life here for a whole lot of years,” the Vicar of Helmsley and Upper Ryedale, the Revd Melanie Burnside, said.
“We are hoping that pilgrims and visitors will rediscover them and the way they tell the story of our faith in Jesus here within the north, joining in with the Archbishop of York’s campaign inspired by our northern saints, that gives ‘light from the past and hope for the longer term’.
“We need to offer opportunities for walkers, riders, and cyclists to take day out of their busy lives, to exercise, to pause, to reflect for the advantage of their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being in our beautiful a part of the world. If it leads people to questions of religion or doubt, we’re here to walk with them on their journey.”
The trail was launched with a Gathering Walk on 14 September along a 12-mile stretch between Helmsley and Rievaulx. Exhibitions and installations within the churches en route include a labyrinth created by Peter Clark, on the village green at Old Byland, and so they complement a September programme of events for the North York Moors National Park’s Mindful Month.
The director of recreation and well-being for the National Park, Joel Brookfield, described the trail as “a unbelievable resource. . . It will help enrich people’s enjoyment of the North York Moors, guide them to find latest places, and easily provide one other way for them to loosen up and unwind.”
