Finding a labyrinth

An ‘underfoot principle’ for those who designed and created the Saint Aelred's Pilgrim Trail,  is the desire to be as inclusive as possible.

That value is manifested in several ways, one being the variability of the nine stages of the 41 mile route, regarding accessibility, distance and terrain.  The idea of creating “petal walks” that offer a circular route is a real bonus for  multiple reasons, respecting different transport needs and energy levels as well as providing a varied experience of walking, reflections and cultural encounters.

The priest, walker and writer Sally Welch, has long built on the medieval concept of pilgrimage and walking labyrinths and making the connections between the two, for the benefits of participants of one or both forms of walking.

 I recall a conversation with a woman who was walking from Exeter to Truro, a distance of some 85 miles over several days and she spoke of the most significant feature of one day's walk being the delight of finding a labyrinth in a churchyard. Yes, she walked it too!

For those whizzing along the B1257 north or southward, there’s probably not much opportunity to see the beautiful location of St John the Evangelist, nestled among mature conifers and rhododendron bushes but to those who draw into the lay-by and those on the SAPT, there's a new temporary labyrinth to provide the opportunity for a meditative walk. 

Parishioners of the church will be all too familiar with their patron Saint who in his gospel affirms the importance of the holy trinity and the labyrinth seeks to incorporate that aspect in its design to assist the reflections of walkers. Should that be an inaccessible challenge for some there are also finger labyrinths in the church designed to enable  engagement with wellbeing and prayer in their own way, truly pilgrim way and one with which Saint Aelred would approve of. 

Peter Clark