Britain’s ancient sacred ways
Sussex features strongly in the new book Pilgrim Pathways: 1-2 Day Walks On Britain’s Ancient Sacred Ways, published by Trailblazer at £14.99, available from bookshops and from Amazon.
Author Andy Bull explained: “I was conscious that many people would love to go on a pilgrimage. We’ve all seen TV series such as The Road to Rome and The Road to Santiago, and they show that even the averagely unfit celeb can hobble through one.
“But who’s got the time to walk Spain’s Camino, the Via Francigena through France and Italy or even the Pilgrims’ Way from London to Canterbury? Certainly I haven’t. I needed something I could complete in a weekend.
“I went into my local Waterstones on the lookout for a good guide to short pilgrimages. But I couldn’t find one so I set out to research some suitable routes for myself.
“I found 20, and decided to see if a publisher would agree with me that there was a market for a book, called Pilgrim Pathways, for what you might call Weekend Pilgrims: people with limited time and busy lives who would love to go on a pilgrimage if they could.
“The book was inspired by the belief that pilgrimage – variously defined as a journey on foot to a place that is holy, important or special – should be open to everyone, of all faiths and none.
“There are many ancient pilgrim paths in Britain, all of them are dauntingly long.
“Pilgrim Pathways offers routes inspired by the very best of them, distilled into walks of roughly 20 to 30 miles that can be accomplished comfortably in a weekend.
“The routes take in Britain’s most inspiring landscapes and most powerfully spiritual places.
“Among them is my Blake, Jerusalem and St Richard pilgrimage from Haslemere to Chichester.
“It follows St Richard’s pilgrim path through the landscape that inspired William Blake to write Jerusalem
“In his poem, William Blake asks: ‘And did those feet, in ancient time, walk upon England’s mountains green?’ following up with: ‘And was the Holy Lamb of God, in England’s pleasant pastures seen?’
“Those questions were inspired by the scenery on this pilgrimage.
“Not that Blake found mountains in West Sussex, but he did find the rolling, richly verdant South Downs, and in particular a hill called The Trundle, or St Roche’s Hill, which he observed on regular walks to a house in the village of Lavant called Robson’s Orchard.
“Blake is not the only inspiration for this pilgrimage.
“On the path to Chichester you also follow in the footsteps of pilgrims who, in the Middle Ages, passed through Midhurst on their way to St Richard’s shrine in Chichester Cathedral which, preReformation, was the third most popular place of veneration in England.”
Organisers of Loxwood Drive-in Movies have confirmed the films coming up this summer.
They are promising a movie extravaganza from July 19 to August 1 with films including A Knight’s Tale, Bohemian Rhapsody, Back to the Future, The Rocky Horror Show, Mamma Mia and How to Train your Dragon.
Spokeswoman Heather Joy said: “Proving that nights out, fun with the family and decadent meals out still exist, the Loxwood Drive-in Movies will be opening its gates for both matinee and evening performances, showing family favourites, sci-fi classics, musical blasts, romantic tear jerkers and a plethora of fun feel-good films, for young and old alike.
“Following its huge success last year, the big screen will be lighting up the Loxwood Meadow, with the excitement of the classic drive-in movie experience being reignited once again this summer.
“And, if you are more than ready for a socially distanced, safe night out, this spectacular American-style drive in movie extravaganza is going to turn your dream into a reality.
“And with sound being channelled through each individual in-car stereo system, the thrill just gets better and better with a selection of food and beverages available for delivery to your car.
“Cars will be parked at least two metres apart in numbered bays and, having chosen from a selection of meat or vegetarian burgers, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, sweets, soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, the food delivery service will enable you to text your order from your vehicle, and a Chevrolette will deliver it straight to your car.
“The huge state-of-the-art LED movie screen will make the family matinee performances running at 5pm, and the evening showings at 9pm an experience never to be forgotten. Gates will open at 3.30pm for the matinee and 7.30pm for the evening film to allow ample time to park and settle in in readiness.
“Tickets must be booked in advance. Tickets for matinee performances are £20 which includes your vehicle plus three people; with tickets for evening performances at £30 to include your vehicle and two people. Additional persons in a vehicle are at £5 for the first additional person and £2.50 for each individual after. For the full film programme and to book tickets, please visit the Loxwood Drive-In Movies website at www.loxwooddriveinmovies. co.uk and look out for all current news on the Facebook page @ LoxwoodDriveInMovies.