Pilgrimage reaches York
Pilgrims have left Scotland and are now in the north of England
Pilgrims on the Pilgrimage for Peace and Economic Justice, who are walking from Iona to London, have left Scotland and are now in the north of England. A visit to the crypt of historic Hexham Abbey in Northumberland was a recent highlight. They also took part in a service at Durham cathedral.
Jill Saunderson, a peace activist from Anstruther in Scotland, is one of the small group of pilgrims who set out from Iona on 19 May.
She said: ‘We have had tremendous support along the way. It is clear, particularly in England, that the austerity agenda of the government is having an impact on ordinary people.
‘The Pilgrimage is stressing the huge cost of renewing Trident. We are explaining how the money could be much better spent. I talk to young people about spending it on education, to young mothers on improving hospitals and child care and to older people about supporting better pensions.’
She added: ‘We have talked to people from all walks of life – people who would never dream of going to a demonstration but are genuinely interested in the issues. We are not just talking to the converted.’
Andrew Greaves, of Hexham Meeting and one of the organisers, also stressed the excellent response on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, and the lively contributions to the Pilgrimage blog.
‘We have also been able to give our peace declaration to people along the way,’ he said. ‘A copy was given to Roberta Blackman-Woods, Labour MP for the city of Durham, and she is passing it on to Ed Milliband. There have also been letters in The Guardian.’
This week the pilgrims reach York and will visit St Martin le Grand church, in Coney Street, and York Minster.
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