Our Pilgrims Progress on The Way of St Martin
Following the success of their first pilgrimage, the idea to create a new route and exhibition began to develop. Liz Garnett and Alexandra le Rossignol came away from a meeting at the Maison Dieu in Dover with a plan for a new route from Dover to Canterbury. The aim is to have enough work for an exhibition as part of the Dover Pilgrimage Festival in September 2022.
Development of the Route - 25 October 2021 - Alex and Liz get underway with organising their second pilgrimage. The initial planning is for the route to start at the beach on the marker for the start of the North Downs Way. The plan is to follow this route to Canterbury - the route will also take in parts of the Via Francigena, the River Dour walk and the Elham Valley walk.
Research and Planning - November 2021 - Liz starts mapping the route. Ideas for detours to Barfrestone and Bishopsbourne are added. A creative theme for the route is emerging.
Further Research - January 2022 - As the route develops, Liz and Alex realise that there are three strong links with St Martin of Tours.Hhe is the patron saint of Dover and there are churches dedicated to him in Dover and Canterbury.
First Recce of the Route - 17 February 2022 - In the lull between two storms, Alex and Liz set out on a recce of the route. Starting at Dover and following the River Dour to Kearsney. Then to Barfrestone and meetings at Womanswold and Patrixbourne.
Research started to highlight the numbers of pilgrims who travelled from the continent to visit the shrine of St Thomas Becket. Many other fascinating facts have started to emerge.
Second Recce of the Route - 22 March 2022 - On a warm March day, Alex and Liz set out to check that the route crossings of the A2 were possible and didn't result in a risky mad dash across four lanes of traffic.
Churches were open and history was all around with a chance to pause and reflect on a bench at Coldred.
Pre-Pilgrimage Visit - 4 May 2022 - Alex, Liz and Mary were given a tour of the ruins of St Martin Le Grand and the Maison Dieu. Just a small part of the rich history of Dover.
First Day of Pilgrimage - 6 May 2022 - The sun was out for seven of the pilgrims as they embarked on the first day of their pilgrimage.
The pilgrims were lucky enough to be blessed by the Area Dean, Reverend Andrew Bawtree on the seafront at Dover.
The first stop on their route were the ruins of St Martin le Grand which gives it's name to this pilgrimage route. This was followed by a tour of Dover Museum and St Mary's church.
After a cafe stop the pilgrims were lucky to have a guided tour of St Edmund's chapel with it's fascinating history and links to pilgrimage.
The pilgrims then admired the Maison Dieu and it's importance with pilgrimage while Alex, Liz and Mary talked of their tour of this historic building earlier in the week.
The Pilgrims then picked up the footpath along the River Dour where they stopped to eat their picnic.
At St Andew's church the pilgrims admired the Buckland Yew before heading off to finish their journey at Kearsney Abbey. it's fascinating history and links to pilgrimage.
Second walk of Pilgrimage - 13 May 2022 - The second walk was as sunny as the first and we left Kearsney and headed up through Temple Ewell and onto the North Downs where we say the early spider orchid.
The pilgrims took a break for a picnic lunch at St Pancras Church at Coldred before crossing the fields to Shepherdswell.
Third walk of Pilgrimage - 20 May 2022 - The pilgrims walked through heavy rain from Shepherdswell to Womenswold via Barfrestone church. Spirits remained high despite the rain. Barfrestone church was opened for the pilgrims and Alex spent some time drawing at the church.
The pilgrims were treated to a pilgrims lunch by the parishonners of Womenswold. This was a real treat and greatly appreciated after all the rain.
Fourth walk of Pilgrimage - 27 May 2022 - The pilgrims were blessed with good weather and set off from Womenswold church in good spirits. The walked across Barham Downs to Kingston taking in the wildlife and landscape.
After a pub lunch at Kingston and a tour of the church, the pilgrims followed the Nailbourne to Bishopsbourne church for a guided tour of the medieval art before ending with a cup of tea and cake.
Research Visit to Canterbury - 31 May 2022 - The pilgrims were lucky enough to join the researchers from the Maison Dieu in Dover for a tour of key pilgrimage sites in Dover.
The research trip took in the Canterbury Cathedral Archives, Eastbridge Hospital and the pilgrimage exhibits at the Beaney Museum led by Martin Crowther. The pilgrims learnt of the Cult of Thomas Becket and his links with Choughs.
Final Walk - 6 June 2022 - We completed our pilgrimage by walking from Bishopsbourne to Canterbury. There was some light drizzle but not enough to slow us down.
After exploring Patrixbourne church we followed the North Downs Way into Canterbury to St Martin's Church for a guided tour. Alex sketched before we headed to see the relics of St Thomas Becket and ended our journey at a cafe.
