News & Events
First Annual Pilgrims Walk - Update
Walking in the footsteps of the pilgrims....
On 31st March, 9 intrepid volunteers set off to retrace the steps of thousands of Pilgrims, who crossed North Wales to pray and reflect on Bardsey Island. The Island is situated at the end of the Llyn Peninsula and is known as the Island of 20,000 Saints. The pilgrims often set off with the intention or hope of dying on the island. Thankfully on this occasion the party all arrived safely and in good health!
The group set out to raise funds for the SVP Ozanam Centre which provides holiday accommodation for people with limited opportunities. Although not the final amount raised has not yet been finalised, the total raised was in the region of £5000. The group would like to thank all those who sponsored them on the walk. The route covered a distance of approximately 38 miles in total.
The group...
The group was made up of 5 members of the SVP who had travelled from as far afield as Devon, St Helens, Llandudno, Leeds, Manchester and Wrexham and four employees, some of whom are members also, including the Centre Manager, Steve Whitley, who acted as the group's guide and motivator, plus three employees from the shops and National Office.
Steve Clarke from Manchester took on the role of support driver and did an excellent job in ensuring the group's safety and comfort was ensured along the way. Steve met the group on time every time at the schedule check points, ensuring they were supplied with water and a welcome.
The group were relative strangers when they all met but all ended up as staunch friends by the time they finished the walk, which epitomised SVP teamwork in action. The influence of the Holy Spirit along the way was felt by all.
The journey...
On the first day the walkers commenced their journey from the church of St Bueno at Clynnog Fawr. The church is undergoing extensive renovation and access was unfortunately restricted. Although situated in a very small rural village the church would match some of our major town and city cathedrals in stature and design.
After the church visit and suitably inspired, they scaled mountains to the heady heights of 500 meters and trudged across terrain scattered with heather, brambles, and bogs. The beauty was stunning and stark. They dropped down to sea level in the afternoon, onto the original Pilgrims' Walk. They had a chance to the beauty of the Welsh coastal path and were blessed by the abundance of wild life and plants.
The group walked along the coast over the next three days, taking in some of the most spectacular scenery in Wales and saw seals, cormorants, oyster catchers, sky larks, hares and a few locals, who made them welcome and offered directions to points of specific interest.
On Friday as the pilgrimage neared its end the group visited Aberdaron where pilgrims assembled in past times to board a variety of boats for the perilous journey to Bardsey Island. There they had the opportunity to spend a considerable time in private thought in the local church which was situated alongside the sea on one side and the cliffs on the other.
They climbed to the peak of the headland and visited St Mary’s Well. The Well is situated at the base of the cliff edge, at the sea level and during low wide the water changes from saline sea water to fresh water. They tasted the water and were able to confirm this to be true! Above the well is the outline in the ground of an ancient building which may have been an old monastery but there were no local confirmation signs of this. The area was stunningly beautiful and was enshrouded in mist which gave it a more interesting appeal.
For more information about how you can take part in future walks along all or part of this route, please contact Steve Whitley, the Centre Manager, on 01286 881568.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
[24.04.08]