Walking St Edward’s Way
This footpath route between Wareham and Shaftesbury Abbey was developed by the Dorset Ramblers, but has been delayed due to the pandemic. Bishop Karen will be leading a pilgrimage walk over three days in early September.
St Edward, a boy king murdered possibly on the orders of his stepmother at Corfe Castle, was originally buried at Wareham. Later in 979, for political reasons, his body was moved to Shaftesbury Abbey where it became an object of pilgrimage.
In 2019 there was an archaeological dig in the Abbey and surrounding area to try and understand more about the Abbey, whose influence spread far and wide.
‘Shaftesbury Abbey: A Voyage of Exploration and Discovery’ involved many volunteers, including schools, with students taught basic principles of archaeology and doing some digging on site. The results of that dig are still being analysed.
To celebrate the project, the acting Bishop of Salisbury, the Bishop of Sherborne Karen Gorham will be leading a pilgrimage walk over three days in early September, and we are all invited.
Bishop Karen says:
“Come and join us!
“Each day will be a walk of some ten miles through varied countryside, starting at 9.00am or 10.00am and ending at 4.00pm.
“We will end by walking up Gold Hill to have some refreshment in the Town Hall before a short service in the Abbey and gardens.”
Itinerary:
Thursday 2nd 9.30am leave Wareham to Winterborne Kingston (lunch 1pm Bloxworth)
Friday 3rd 9.00am Winterborne Kingston to Shillingstone (Lunch 1pm Winterborne Stickland)
Saturday 4th 10.00am Shillingstone to Shaftesbury (Lunch 1.30pm Bedchester)
Bishop Karen would like as many people as possible to join in what has, in the last year, become a permanent waymarked pilgrimage route.
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/st.ed.way
Email to notify you are joining: bishop.sherborne@salisbury.anglican.org
More details of the route: britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/st-edwards-way
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