December 2024
Dear Pilgrims, friends and supporters of the Peak Wesley Way.
Pilgrimages
What a wonderful and busy year we’ve had! Twenty adventurous groups of pilgrims have embarked on our new pilgrimage since we opened in April. The summer months were particularly popular, with groups booked through Autumn, and even a couple of bookings in November and December.
We have hosted two “taster pilgrimages”; the first was during Cliff Fest in May, when the heavens quite literally opened on the way down from Baslow Edge, and the second was with students from the Queen’s Foundation during their rural ministry placement in August, finishing with a picnic in glorious sunshine in the garden of the Peveril Centre at Castleton. These idyllic walks are a mere glimpse of what the Peak Wesley Way has to offer, spending time enjoying the camaraderie of fellow pilgrims amongst quieter moments of reflective contemplation, all surrounded by the beauty and wonder of our Peak District.
We were honoured to partake in the ongoing pilgrimage of the Coat of Hopes (https://www.coatofhopes.uk/), in July, along the Bamford to Hope section of the Peak Wesley Way, accompanied by members of Hope Valley Climate Action Group (https://www.instagram.com/hopevalleyclimateaction/#)
Media coverage
Many of our pilgrims have written lovely articles, or posted on social media. We wholeheartedly thank you for sharing your stories and experiences.
Our recent intrepid November Pilgrim, Hanna (https://www.instagram.com/walkinglantern/#), has provided some informative and inspiring social media content. I really mean intrepid as she braved all weathers from icy ground and constant rain on Day 1 from Matlock, to flood waters crossing Conksbury Bridge in Lathkil Dale before being rewarded with some spectacular days in winter sunlight from Great Longstone onwards, taking in the magnificent views along the Edges and through the magical woodlands and river walks. Hanna has saved all her stories day by day in the highlights of @peak_wesley_way for you to view, and she will be sharing more in the next few weeks.
As well as on social media, we have been sharing the Peak Wesley Way story on the airwaves, including a feature on Radio 4, Farming Today, where Rev Julie Letts and Deacon Lorraine Brown spoke with the first pilgrims and talked about the origins of, and motivation for, the Peak Wesley Way. Sheila Travis was interviewed as part of a series of podcasts with Sheffield Methodist District (https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/). You can listen to Sheila talking about the creation of the Peak Wesley Way and her own faith journey. https://soundcloud.com/sheffieldmethodist/faith-hope-and-the-journey-the-peak-wesley-way?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
The Peak Wesley Way will be advertised in the December supplement of Country Walking magazine (https://www.walk1000miles.co.uk/new-index) and a social media advert to run concurrently.
Look out for the Peak Wesley Way team in the Methodist Church 2024 Christmas message. The Methodist Church chose us to be part of the story and spent a day filming at Edale Chapel. (https://www.methodist.org.uk/)
Reviews
A huge thank you for your words of encouragement. The feedback provided by our pilgrims affirms that we are on the right path. Here are a few highlights:
“The weather, scenery, people we met. Buttercups. Admiration of a new idea of using chapel buildings. Meeting Kate and Belinda at Edale – ‘Salt of the Earth’.”
“Walking in almost TOTAL peace just us and the nature around us was wonderful.”
“The walks were SO well planned and SO well sign posted and they certainly gave us the very best experience of this very beautiful area.”
“The beauty of the countryside . Time out just to be and reflect”
“Lots! The lovely and varied countryside, the excellent facilities at the chapels along the way and the warm welcome we received.”
“The warm welcome everywhere, and the personal contact with the welcoming team. The charming chapels, especially Great Longstone. The varied landscapes, especially Day 5 (Hathersage to Castleton) and the high Edges.”
In particular, we received such positive feedback about the welcomes the pilgrims received from our team of volunteers. This personal touch and care from the local community is what makes the Peak Wesley Way a unique experience. Pilgrims have commented that they felt welcomed and connected to the communities through which they were journeying.
Community
Our team of volunteers has been busy connecting with local businesses and individuals to share the Peak Wesley Way story. The Peak Wesley Way guidebook contains a wealth of information about the local areas, well researched and kindly provided by Ellen Outram and Deacon Lorraine Brown, in addition to local information displayed in each chapel and on our website (www.peakwesleyway.com). During their pilgrimage, pilgrims have visited Chatsworth, swum in Hathersage Lido, and wandered up to the grave of Little John at St Michael & All Angel’s Church, Hathersage.
Colourful artwork kindly donated by Si Homfrey (https://www.parkdesigns.co.uk/) adorns the wall in the new kitchenette at Hathersage. Each chapel has a small “library” of local books, soon to be added to with the newly published Hope Valley Journal, (https://www.instagram.com/hopevalleyjournal/#) in which the Peak Wesley Way is featured. Over time, we would like to connect with more individuals, particularly artists and artisans inspired by our beautiful surroundings.
Local Volunteers
Thank you to our volunteers who have generously given their time and energy in so many different ways. We still have much work to do with the operation and marketing of the Peak Wesley Way. We have a small core team of volunteers but we wish to expand the team so please do get in touch if you would like to be involved. The two main roles are Welcomer and Health & Safety Monitor. We will provide all the necessary information and support in these roles. In addition to those defined roles, there are many other ways you can help, such as checking paths, replacing or installing waymarkers, digital tasks and social media content, contributions to newsletters.
We held two open days in early December, in Castleton and Great Longstone. Don’t worry if you missed these as we will host more PWW open days and volunteer induction days where you can meet the team and learn more about all things Peak Wesley Way!
Seasons greetings and Christian blessings
Alex and the Peak Wesley Way Team
