125th Anniversary Walk
It seemed like a good idea twelve months ago, but as the days drew closer a few doubts crept in. 125 miles over six days to celebrate the 125th anniversary and raise funds for the Palm in Palm Project and Basic School provision in Jamaica.
At 11.00 on Thursday 22nd May I set off from Trafalgar Square and headed up The Mall. It was kind of the Band of Her Majesty's Guards to accompany me on the first leg as they marched towards Buckingham Palace. Knightsbridge led to South Kensington and crossing the Thames at Wandsworth. A good pace resulted in reaching Worcester Park on time to be joined by members of the Company on the last leg of the day to Sutton.
The second day saw me dropped off in Elstree to walk the route of the A41 to Watford to join the Grand Union Canal on its route to Hemel Hempstead and return to Felden for Firm Foundations.
I returned to Northampton after the festival for the longest day of the walk. Twenty six miles lay ahead visiting the eleven Companies of the town. I was joined by other hardy walkers for the day and welcomed at a number of the churches a surfeit of tea. At the end we all shared a meal and I was able to explain a little of the Cameroon project to those present.
Wednesday took me to Leicester and again a route that joined the Companies in the city starting in Blaby and finishing in Loughborough. This was the only day of the walk which saw rain, with the middle of the day being particularly wet. I was very grateful for company on the walk and friendly greetings at a number of churches.
Thursday saw me in Nottingham joined for the day by a number of walkers. It had been arranged that we should meet the Lord Mayor at the City Hall at 2.15, resulting in a rather fast pace with the last quarter of a mile requiring running. This was interesting on about the 100th mile of the walk. We managed to arrive just in time, were welcomed by the Lord Mayor and explained the purpose of the walk to him.
The last day of the walk was in Birmingham with a route from Sutton Coldfield to Shirley. The end was in sight and we maintained a steady pace. It was good to meet the young men of the 1st Birmingham in the shadows of the Aston Villa ground. I managed to join in their football game, but I think my team found me a liability. The afternoon was the final slog with the last eight miles from the city centre to Shirley arriving at 5.00pm.
The walk was complete and apart from a few blisters I was still in one piece, much to the surprise of some. The venture could not have been possible without the help of so many people and I would like to thank all those who planned routes, walked with me, opened churches, provided refreshments, gave words of encouragement and sponsored me. Your support was very much appreciated. So far over £2,500 has been raised for the two causes and this will make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
Steve Dickinson
