York Minster

The Pilgrim Walkers' Progress - Day 3

Published Wednesday 13th June 2007 by Martin Chapman

On their third day of walking the pilgrims were joined by the Revd Canon Jeremy Fletcher, Precentor of York, who conducted a short service of prayer and blessing in the Church of St Mary and St Lawrence, Rosedale Abbey. Then, led by Chris Brownbridge - the leader for the day - the pilgrims climbed the steep Rosedale Chimney before crossing Spaunton Moor with its bell heather breaking into early purple bloom. The moorland path led past the Ana Cross and on to Lastingham, a significant point in the pilgrimage from Whitby to York for it was here that in 654 St Cedd, a pupil of St Aidan at Lindisfarne, founded the first monastery. This monastery was then refounded in 1078 by Stephen of Whitby who became first abbot of St Mary's in York.

A cloudburst followed a picnic lunch in Lastingham and, finally leaving the moors behind them, the pilgrims walked in wet conditions to Spaunton and then downward to Kirby Moorside in the Vale of Pickering for their overnight stop.

For further information on the York Minster Walkers Pilgrimage please see the York Minster Walkers page.  If you would like to sponsor the walkers please contact Martin Chapman on 01347 810858.