Saturday 5 April 2025 will mark the launch of an additional 30-mile section of the Athelstan Pilgrim Way, a free environmentally-friendly walking route linking the historic churches of North Wiltshire.
The pilgrimage route, which is a Church of England initiative, will eventually extend to around 100 miles. The first 35-mile section was launched at Malmesbury Abbey in June 2024, with a talk by the historian and broadcaster, Tom Holland, as part of the Athelstan 1100 celebrations. The new section includes a further 12 churches in the Woodbridge and Draycot benefices and is located between Malmesbury and Chippenham.
The Launch event will take place at St Peter & St Paul Church, Great Somerford (SN15 5HZ) on Saturday 5 April, at 2.30pm, with a talk by the writer, environmentalist and broadcaster, Martin Palmer. Martin co-founded the internationally renowned Alliance of Religions and Conservation with HRH Prince Philip, and is also the author of ‘Sacred Land’. Martin will talk on ‘Walking Gently: From Sacred Land to Storied Churches’.
The launch event will include a performance by the Malmesbury Choir, and an exhibition of photographic artwork by our Artist in Residence, Sheona Beaumont. Malmesbury Choir was established in 2014 and has entertained audiences mainly in the Abbey or Town Hall ever since. Sheona’s 6-month residency on the Athelstan Pilgrim Way will explore the relationship between faith and the landscape through visual art. She will introduce her work with a short talk, and the church will be open from 1.30pm for refreshments and an opportunity to view the artwork.
Tickets for the event, priced £15 (children £5) will be available from the Athelstan 1100 website (https://athelstan1100.co.uk/) from 10th March. Free parking will be available opposite the church.
Following the Launch, there will be an organised 1.5-mile walk to the church of St James the Great, Dauntsey, where there will be a short talk by Carole Britton, author of Past Present Presence: The Companion Guide, which follows the journeys of Hilary Peters, who inspired the Athelstan Pilgrim Way.
An extended 10-mile pilgrimage walk on the morning of 5th April is also being run in partnership with the Diocese of Bristol’s Rhythm of Life initiative. This will begin at Malmesbury Abbey in time for arrival at Great Somerford by 1.30pm. Rhythm of Life is a year-long exploration of devotional Christian practices, including pilgrimage, with contributions from the Bishop of Bristol and the Bishop of Swindon.
On Sunday 6 April, there will be a pilgrimage walk from All Saints Church, Sutton Benger (SN15 4RP) at 2pm. This will be a circular walk calling in at All Saints Church, Christian Malford, and returning to Sutton Benger by around 4.30pm for a short optional pilgrimage service.
Contact: Area Dean, Rev Steve Wilkinson:
rector@woodbridgegroup.co.uk
www.athelstanpilgrimway.org
www.facebook.com/athelstanpilgrimway
Malmesbury Choir Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/MalmesburyChoir/
Sheona Beaumont, artist website:
www.shospace.co.uk
Diocese of Bristol, Rhythm of Life programme:
www.bristol.anglican.org/churchlife/resourcesforparishes/rhythm-of-life/