York Minster

Pilgrims' Progress - Day 7

Published Monday 18th June 2007 by Alix Peacock

The final day of the pilgrimage from Whitby to York started early with the pilgrims gathering in the open air outside Huby Methodist Church for prayers.

In contrast to the previous days' continuous rain the morning started in warm, steamy conditions and waterproof clothing was discarded en route to Skelton which was reached 90 minutes ahead of schedule. The small and ornate Parish Church of St Giles was open and several people went inside to look at the interior. The pilgrims passed their time on the village green where they enjoyed the last picnic lunch of their pilgrimage. They were joined here by two day walkers, including one of the songmen from the Minster.

Messages were received that the route ahead was impassable due to serious flooding of the River Ouse caused by the heavy rains of the past few days but the pilgrims made their way, as planned, to the 'Park and Ride' at Rawcliffe Bar, a rendez-vous for day pilgrims wishing to join the pilgrimage on its final leg to the Minster.

Here their number was swelled to about 25 and, making their way on a detour through Clifton, the pilgrims arrived at the Marygate entrance to the Museum Gardens where a trolley awaited them with the Pilgrims' Stone and a large piece of uncut stone. By now the pilgrims' number had swelled to almost fifty and the trolley was pulled by the Pilgrims through the Museum Gardens to the West Front of the Minster where they were greeted by the Dean of York, the Very Revd. Keith Jones and the Precentor, the Revd. Canon Jeremy Fletcher, both of whom had walked as day pilgrims earlier in the week.

They all entered the Minster through the Great West Door to an organ fanfare followed by a Service of Welcome conducted by the Dean who received the Pilgrim Stone. He gave thanks for the pilgrimage, for the new, happy relationships forged with the churches and parishes through which the pilgrims had passed and prayed for the restoration of the Minster before blessing the pilgrims and pronouncing the pilgrimage complete.

Tea and soft drinks were then provided for everyone in the North Transept.