Pilgrimage gains Rowntree grant
The Pilgrimage for Peace and Economic Justice awarded grant from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
The Pilgrimage for Peace and Economic Justice has been given a grant from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. The pilgrimage, which is modelled on the Olympic torch relay through Britain in 2012, is organised by Hexham Quakers and sets off from Iona, off the west coast of Scotland, on 19 May.
Andrew Greaves, one of the main organisers, told the Friend: ‘We are deeply heartened by the grant from the Rowntree Trust. It’s a vote of confidence in the pilgrimage and has enabled us to buy a support vehicle that will accompany walkers from Iona to London.’
The pilgrimage is a practical demonstration of a commitment to the Quaker Peace Testimony and aims to highlight the huge expenditure of taxpayers money on nuclear weapons, such as Trident, and the effect of cuts on the poor and vulnerable.
Andrew added: ‘The response to the pilgrimage so far has been huge. It is very broad based. An important aspect is that it is drawing in different faith communities. It is Quaker led but strongly ecumenical. There will be a significant involvement, at a local level, from different churches and groups.
‘The pilgrimage will be community building – as it goes through Scotland and England – as well as raising important concerns such as the expenditure on Trident. We want, also, to be affirmative rather than negative. We are currently working on a declaration based on the Quaker Peace Testimony and the statement on nuclear weapons produced by New Zealand Quakers.’
The organisers will also be using social media, such as Twitter, to encourage wide interest.
The pilgrimage initially makes its way from Iona and through Scotland to the nuclear submarine base at Faslane, before moving on to Glasgow and Edinburgh, down the east side of England, via Holy Island (Lindisfarne) to Hexham, Newcastle, Durham, York, Lincoln, Peterborough, Cambridge and St Albans, finally arriving in London in the third week of July.
Andrew Greaves urged Friends to support the pilgrimage. He said: ‘Quakers so far, throughout Britain, have been magnificent. Our accommodation needs for the pilgrimage, for example, are virtually complete. Full details of the route with dates can be found on the pilgrimage website, at www.justpeacepilgrimage.com.’
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