Gill Bayley, Roger Willson (pictured right), Norene Layton and Simon Lane answer questions about the Parish Pilgrims community they are leading:
Question: What is your mission as a Community?
Answer: To connect with rural parishes we visit. To encourage participation of guests. To develop our fellowship and witness as a group. To offer quiet afternoons and other opportunities for space and reflection. We’re primarily a walking group of Christian people and others, meeting together, talking together on all sorts of topics and valuing one another's company.
Q: When & how regularly do you meet? When does it start? How long are the walks?
A: We meet monthly on the 2nd Thursday from 9:45 am to lunchtime when we either share a meal together in a pub, or in the summer share a picnic. Sometimes we extend into the afternoon. Usually, we have a longer walk, possibly 5 miles, and a shorter walk, possibly 2˝ miles, to choose from. Some less mobile members just join us for lunch!
Q: Where does your community meet?
A: Various locations in the countryside chosen by our members. Full details are emailed or delivered to people who have expressed an interest - see contact for Gill below.
Q: What is the programme for 2011?
A: Feb 10 Watermead Park: meet & lunch at The White Horse, Birstall LE4 4EF
March 10 Radcliffe on Trent Notts: Meet & eat at The Trent Hotel, NG12 1AW.
Lent Reflections All 8-8.30pm. Open to All.
Wed 16th March at St Mary’s led by Roger
Tues 22nd March at St Mary’s led by Norene
Tues 29th March at St Mary’s led by Richard
Tues 5th April at Emmanuel led by Roger
Tues 12th April at Emmanuel led by Roger
Walks:
April 14 Calke Park: meet & eat at The Wheel Inn, 50 Main Street, Ticknall DE73 7JZ
Thursday 28 Evening Bluebell Walk meet at St Mary’s Church, Nanpantan 7pm and back for
coffee and cake.
May 12 Day in Derbyshire: meet at Hartington. Carry picnic.
June 9 Burrough on the Hill. Meet at the hill fort car park. Eat at the Stilton Cheese pub, Somerby.
July 14 Broughton Astley: Circular walk. Carry picnic to eat in Ruth's garden.
Tolethorpe Hall Outdoor Theatre Visit August - Contact Gill for details.
Wed Aug 24 Quiet Afternoon Gill & Geoff's Garden 3-5 pm.
Walks:
Sep 8 Meet and lunch at Forest Hill Golf Club, Markfield Lane, Botcheston LE9 9FH.
Oct 13 Kibworth walk - details later.
Nov 10 Remembrance Day in Coventry: urban walk and cathedral visits. Travel by coach.
Dec 8 NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE Meet and Christmas lunch at The Shoulder of Mutton Inn, 6, Chapel Street, Oakthorpe, Leics., DE12 7QT.
2012 Jan 12 Walk, lunch and 2012 programme planning. St Mary's, Nanpantan.
Q: Who would you say the community you lead is for?
A: No restrictions, but we are mainly active retired people from Emmanuel, St. Mary-in-Charnwood and other churches and friends. Visitors always welcome.
Q: Can I just turn up and who can I contact if I have any questions?
A: It does help to know if you are coming, so we can let you have full details beforehand and do not start the walk without you. We usually need to book pub meal numbers by the previous Monday. Contact Gill HERE for more information...