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Bishop Gregory sends the pilgrims on their way
Click here to see our full Pilgrim's Way photo gallery

First pilgrimage begins along North Wales Pilgrim's Way

The very first pilgrims to walk the new North Wales Pilgrim’s Way have been blessed by Bishop Gregory as they started their 127 mile walk from Basingwerk Abbey to Bardsey Island.

More than 50 pilgrims gathered at the start of the route on Sunday 7 August before starting the trek to Bardsey – around 14 of the group will walk the full distance.

The pilgrimage was devised by the Dean of St Asaph Cathedral, the Very Reverend Chris Potter and his wife Jenny after their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Chris and Jenny will walk the whole route to Bardsey and Chris said:

“We’re very excited and it’s great that it has come to fruition – the fact that it got this far is stunning.

“We’re really looking forward to the company and the chance to walk this distance on the pilgrimage.”

Very Revd Chris Potter leads the Pilgrims on their way

Bishop Gregory led a blessing service ahead of the pilgrimage starting at Basingwerk Abbey.

He said:

“We very much hope you will enjoy walking the inaugural pilgrimage.

“Two years ago Chris and Jenny Potter walked a pilgrimage in Santiago and they decided that what could be done in Northern Spain could be done in North Wales.

“They had a vision to open a route here that pilgrims could walk. That vision has now been turned into reality.”

The pilgrims will “waymark” the route using the symbol of a Celtic Cross which means anyone will then be able to follow the pilgrim route at any time of the year.

The Pilgrims are due to arrive at Bardsey Island on 18 August.

You can see the full route by visiting the North Wales Pilgrim's Way website.

You can see more photographs on our Flickr page.

Click here to view our press release.

Send your news of events - forthcoming and recently enjoyed - to the Diocesan Communications Officer, Phil Topham. The news pages of the website include Bishop Gregory's mailing to clergy, a Calendar of forthcoming events, news of activities around the Diocese and a link to the Diocesan newsletter, Teulu Asaph. Use the column on the right to navigate around these pages.

 

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