January
Lockdown kept many pilgrims close to home. Back gardens, parks and local churches in the landscape took on new significance. In the nick of time, an unexpected, last of E.U. money grant, enabled us to waymark the Norwich to Walsingham leg. It was exciting to see the new finger posts appearing appeared along the route.
February
March and April
And then the scramble to finalise, waymark and publish the first and last bits of the route – from each of Norwich’s two cathedrals
……………………………………….to Walsingham direct, or via the Slipper Chapel.
And, because pilgrims need to sleep and feed, an initial amenities map .
Mary’s Month of May
The Launch
The Summer : COP 26 Norfolk Relay
Enabled by the WW team, Norfolk climate crisis pilgrimage followed our already established routes from Great Yarmouth to Norwich and on to Dereham; then used Norfolk Trail’s Cross Norfolk Route to Lynn.
Along the way church communities stepped up to welcome pilgrims as they crossed the heart of Norfolk and prayed for COP 26 Conference.
The Autumn
In spite of the the can we/ can’t we COVID dance, some little progress has been made towards:
- Developing a St. Withburga pilgrimage route from Holkham to Dereham and maybe onto Ely via Walsingham.
- Making a connection to the Norfolk Trails Network (including the Coastal Path) via Wells.
- Prospecting a safe walking route between Kings Lynn and Walsingham
Autumn also found us playing catchup once again as people asked, “Is there something about the WW in print?” A first attempt at an answer is available to downloadable from the website. Something more worthy of a print run is being prepared
The Walsingham Way 