Persistent rain didn't dampen the spirits of Bishops on the Way of Love

Bishop Paul leads the Inaugural Pilgrim walkers on day two of the Wy of Love from St Mary Magdalene church in Trimdon.

Despite the rain, the Bishop of Durham and the Bishop of Jarrow have completed the second of four inaugural pilgrimage routes this weekend.

Embarking on the journey, The Right Reverend Paul Butler Bishop of Durham, and The Right Reverend Sarah Clark, Bishop of Jarrow, set off with a group of pilgrims and the Northern Saints Trail coordinator David Pott from St Hilda’s Church Hartlepool on Friday, May 7.

They walked through Hart, Hesleden, Wingate before camping overnight in Trimdon and then on to Kelloe, Cassop and arriving at Durham Cathedral on Saturday afternoon (May 8).

In line with Covid protocols, Bishop Paul and wife Rosemary camped inside St Mary Magdalene Church in Trimdon, whilst Bishop Sarah stayed in St Alban’s Trimdon Grange and David Pott camped outside one of the churches.

Bishop Paul holds a Davy Lamp which was developed at the instigation of a vicar in the Diocese after the Felling Mine Disaster of 1812 and tested in Hebburn Colliery in 1816.

Along the route, the pilgrims prayed at various locations and stopped off to stamp their pilgrimage passports and to explore significant places of cultural and christian heritage.

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Bishop Paul was presented with the last working miniature Davey Lamps commissioned by St Helen's Church member Ralph Walton in the 1970's.

Joining with the pilgrims was seeker of asylum, Mamoud Nyelenkeh. He said: “I wanted to join in this pilgrimage to find out more of the Christian heritage of the country I want to make home and of the region that I now live in.

Bishop Paul (with Bishop Sarah in the background) lead off from St Alban's, Trimdon Grange.

"I wanted to understand and immerse myself in Christian beliefs and to find out more.

"At this time of Ramadan, not eating during the day and walking long distances was a challenge, but the experience was absolutely amazing.

"I would encourage others to get out and do these regardless of their beliefs - what an amazing experience it has been.”

Bishop Paul added: “The rain will not dampen our spirits, this second inaugural pilgrimage was again a thoroughly rewarding experience and I can’t wait for the next one. We have as always, experienced some inspirational stories of the people and of the welcome that is so much part of this region.”

Bishop Paul and Rosemary wake from their night sleeping in St Mary Magdalene Church in Trimdon, enjoying a cup of tea.

Bishop Paul, Bishop Sarah, Rosemary and David Pott will join another group of Pilgrims on the Way of Learning starting on May 16 from St Paul’s Church, Jarrow.

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