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Thursday 31st October 2024
Journeying Together: an Intergenerational Pilgrimage and exhibition workshop
As part of our theme of ‘Journeys’, and in support of our Cross-Currents exhibition, you are warmly invited to join us for a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday 31st October.
Suitable for all ages, you can make your pilgrimage as long or as short as you wish - a gentle stroll from Westgate Gardens or the full 10 miles from St Mary’s Church, Chilham; half an hour or half a day.
Whichever you choose, we would love for you to be involved as we journey together, following in the footsteps of generations of pilgrims.
There is no charge to take part.
We will start our pilgrimage in Wye, with stops where you can join us along the way (please see below for locations, times, and terrains). The most accessible sections are from St Mary’s Church, Chilham to the train station, along the River Stour to Westgate Gardens, and on to the Cathedral. There’s something for everyone. Alternately, you can hop on the train and walk just a section, but please do join us in whatever way suits you.
We also invite you to gather natural items along the way to mark your journey. At the end of the pilgrimage, you will then have the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Frances Carlile -the artist behind our Cross-Currents exhibition – to craft these items into your own unique boat, which will be added to the larger fleet inside the Cathedral as a symbol of your day’s pilgrimage and the longer journey of life.
Pilgrimage Route
St Mary’s Church, Chilham to Canterbury Cathedral, 10 miles
Timings are approximate
Meeting point 1: St Mary’s Church, Chilham
- Gather from 8.45am
- Depart: 9.00am
- Terrain/route: 0.5 miles downhill to next meeting point.
Meeting point 2: Chilham train station
- Arrive: 9.15am
- Depart: 9.30am
- Terrain/route: 2.2 miles across fields to next meeting point.
Meeting point 3: St Mary’s Church, Chartham
- Arrive: 10.15am
- Depart: 10.30am
- Terrain/route: 6.6 miles along the river to next meeting point.
Meeting point 4: Westgate Gardens, Canterbury
- Arrive: 12.40 pm
- Leave: 12.45 pm
- Terrain/route: 0.5 miles up Canterbury High Street to Cathedral.
Destination: Canterbury Cathedral
- Arrive: 1pm
- Lunch break: 1-2pm. We gather in the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral for a picnic lunch which we invite you to bring along.
- Workshop: Cross-Currents boat crafting workshop in Chapter House: 2-5pm
- Evensong (optional): 5.30-6.15pm
Please note: when you reserve your space on the pilgrimage, you will be sent a confirmation email with additional details about the day, including what sorts of things you will need to bring with you, and/or collect enroute to use when creating your boat in the afternoon workshop. All attendees will also receive joining instructions by email, confirming at which meeting point they will be joining the pilgrimage.
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