Group leader: Annie Sparkes

The Bristol Group is one of our more active groups, who organise local walks, online quizzes, Practical Pilgrim Days and St James Day celebrations!

Group leader Annie was very pleased to make a formal presentation of certificates and shell brooches to three friends who had walked the old salt route from Droitwich to Bristol on 20th October 2021.  In Worcester Cathedral they were able to view the boots and staff of the 15th century pilgrim unearthed in 1986. Their walk ended in Pill where, in March 1428, 80 pilgrims departed for Santiago de Compostela. However, the memorial stone where the trio are standing records the 2 Methodist preachers who in 1771 (Francis Asbury) and 1784 (Thomas Coke) sailed to America and became the first superintendents of the Methodist Church in America. They were formally given the title of Bishop in 1787. But the three events are linked by the stained glass window in Christ Church Pill which depicts St James standing above the USA’s National Symbol. The trio and myself were welcomed by the Church Warden and ladies of Christ Church Pill who laid on a lovely lunch. 

Email Annie here.