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Walsingham and Bury St Edmunds – 2022

My 2022 pilgrimage took me from home in south Wales to the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham in Norfolk and then on to the cathedral at Bury St Edmunds, a walk that took me just over four weeks. Having started out in hilly Monmouthshire, I then crossed the Forest of Dean before making my way across the north of the Cotswolds and eventually to the busy town of Northampton. I then headed towards the fenland country of the east of England, visiting the cathedral city of Peterborough and then the ancient port of King’s Lynn before arriving at Walsingham. Another week’s walking south took me to Bury St Edmunds in the county of Suffolk, my final destination.

As always, I not only passed through beautiful, rural landscapes but also some fascinating urban centres. Most importantly, I was able to visit a variety of churches, not only of different denominations but also in all sorts of contrasting circumstances.

Above all, pilgrims such as myself journey to Walsingham and Bury St Edmunds because of the very special stories which are commemorated and celebrated there. At the former, it’s the vision given to local lady, Richeldis de Faverches, in the eleventh century in which she was instructed to build a replica of the Holy Family’s house at Nazareth; at the latter it’s the martyrdom in the ninth century of Edmund, the King of East Anglia. Captured in battle by Viking raiders, he refused to renounce his Christian faith and was cruelly killed.

Setting out in mid April, I saw lots of Easter gardens in churches as I walked. Here, a very small but lovely example at a country church in Monmouthshire.
The contemporary triptych Madonna of the Butterflies with Saints Michael and Jerome by PJ Crook, who lives locally, in the parish church at Bishop’s Cleeve in Gloucestershire.
At Northampton, I saw the Knife Angel in place outside historic All Saints Church. Certainly a very striking figure with a vital message.
At the Baptist Church at Thrapston in Northamptonshire. Supporting the local Food Bank.
The splendid west front of Peterborough Cathedral.
Many churches I visited had prayers for the terrible situation in the Ukraine. Here, at the Minster Church in King’s Lynn in Norfolk.
At Dersingham in Norfolk, my first visit on pilgrimage to a Parent and Toddler group!
The Holy House in the Anglican Shrine at Walsingham.
A warm welcome at the Methodist Church in Thetford in Norfolk.
Looking up into the tower at the cathedral at Bury St Edmunds.

© 2023 Anne Hayward