Please donate and help support the valuable repair, maintenance and restoration work of the YHCT and the work of the Saint Aelred's Pilgrim Trail Society, especially its new project to repurpose the Closed Church of Saint Michael, Cold Kirby into a low cost accommodation lodge. Donations will be split 50% to each cause. Please sponsor our walkers and riders taking part in out Our Gathering Walk & Ride through this beautiful South West corner of the North York Moors, which begins at All Saints Church, Hawnby at 9.30am, and concludes with a short service at the Church of All Saints, Helmsley.
The full route is 10 miles, but one of the joys of the day is that people can join at different points along the route. Whether you walk the whole pilgrimage or just one section, you will be very welcome. If, for example, you aren't keen on hills and join at Old Byland, the distance is 6.5 miles.
Highlights of the day include:
9am: Meet in Long Stay Car Park Helmsley those wanting a lift to the start. (Toilet)
9.30am: Start of Gathering Walk & Ride at idyllic pastoral setting of All Saints Church, Hawnby.
10.30am: Coffee & Cake Break at historic Murton Grange, one of the original granges belonging to the Byland Monks.
11.40am: Reflection at the 1000+ years Grade 1 listed Old Byland Church. (Toilet)
12.50pm: Picnic Lunch at historic Tylas Farm - the original first home and abbey of the Byland Monks (Toilet)
2.15pm: Pause at the magnificent grandeur of Rievaulx Abbey home of our local Saint Aelred. (Toilet)
4pm: Closing Service at the beautiful Church of All Saints, Helmsley with organist Keith Johnson, where you can also see the National Trust sponsored Exhibition on "Yorkshire Born & Bred: Farming Life" by Val Mather, the acclaimed North Yorkshire photographer. Tea & Refreshments available.