North Wiltshire pilgrimage route set for completion

The route is intended to provide free opportunities to enjoy the beauty of North Wiltshire and its historic churches in an environmentally sustainable way.
The walking and cycling pilgrimage route, which is a Church of England initiative, is 100 miles long in total, and this final section includes a further 11 churches in the Braydon Brook and Upper Thames benefices, covering a wide area between Malmesbury and Cricklade. 
Shorter walks are also available between the churches, and these are particularly suitable where time is limited and for younger walkers.
The Launch event will take place at St Sampson’s Church, Cricklade (SN6 6AT) at 2.30pm on Saturday 6 September, with a talk by the writer, environmentalist and broadcaster, Martin Palmer. 
Martin co-founded the internationally renowned Alliance of Religions and Conservation with HRH Prince Philip, and is also the author of ‘Sacred Land’.
Tickets for the event, priced at £10.50 (children free) are available from 21 July online from the Athelstan Pilgrim Way website (https://athelstanpilgrimway.org/) or in person from the Cricklade Town Council offices. 
Free parking will be available at St Sampson’s CE Primary School near the church.
A series of walking and cycling guidebooks will be on sale at the Launch, and can also be purchased from Malmesbury Abbey bookshop, together with a free Pilgrim Passport, which can be stamped at each church visited along the route.
There is also a companion guide to each of the churches along the Pilgrim Way, ‘Past Present Presence’, written by local author, Carole Britton.
In addition, there is a children's pilgrimage, which is also suitable for all ages, with a series of booklets following Stan (short for Athelstan) the dog, who travels in search of other dogs hidden in each of the churches.
Prior to the launch, there will be an organised 4.5-mile walk to St Sampson’s Church, starting from Leigh Chancel - SN6 6QY - and also visiting All Saints Church, Leigh.
On Sunday 7 September, there will be a pilgrimage walk from All Saints Church, Crudwell - SN16 9ER - to Holy Cross Church, Hankerton (SN16 9LF), starting at 2pm. 
A cream tea will be provided at Hankerton, followed by a short evening service and a return to Crudwell by a different route.
 

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