Pilgrims arrived at Derby Cathedral yesterday the first cathedral on their marathon fundraising walk to visit all 42 Anglican cathedrals in England.
They have named themselves the Pommie Pilgrims after the sound of their village band and aim to complete a total of ten million steps on their travels to help fundraise to provide a kitchen, warm space and toilets for Youlgrave’s 12th All Saints Church in Derbyshire, a Grade I listed building which features in Simon Jenkins’s book ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’.
Their fundraising target is £42,000.
So far 52 people signed up to do the first leg of the marathon – a three-day walk to Derby which set off on Palm Sunday with the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Teresa Peltier, the Youlgrave Silver Band, the WI Choir, a host of village pilgrims and a couple of donkeys!
They were met by the Dean of Derby, the Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson and the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Libby Lane.
The Dean said:
‘With other Cathedral staff team members I was delighted to welcome the Pommie Pilgrims from Youlgrave to Derby Cathedral.
“We wish them every blessing as they set out in smaller groups to visit all the other cathedrals of England,’ he added.
A pottery pilgrim’s token, designed by local artist Phil Smith, will be presented to each cathedral forging a permanent link back to Youlgrave.
The Revd Adele Barker, Priest-in-Charge of the White Peak and Youlgrave Benefice, said:
“We have a beautiful church building and all that is raised will be used to ensure that we can provide a warm welcome and hospitality in All Saints for many more years to come.
“Our hope to connect Youlgrave with each cathedral in the country via pilgrimage is a huge challenge.”
Revd Canon Elizabeth Jane Clay MBE, chair of the Pommie Pilgrimage organising group, said:
“Ten million steps to connect our village with some of the grandest buildings in the country feels like an impossible task, but one step at a time, together, we’ll get there.”
Future walks include routes from Carlisle to Newcastle, Lincoln to Norwich, Liverpool to Chester, and Canterbury to Exeter and Truro.
