THE DEAN of Worcester has embarked on a six week cycling pilgrimage to France to raise money for charity.
The Very Revd Peter Atkinson set off on the 621 mile voyage to Normandy on Saturday (May 28), as part of a three month sabbatical in aid of the Friends of Worcester Cathedral.
The trip will follow in the steps of a cycle tour made by Percy Dearmer, a hymn-writer and liturgical scholar, who endured the route in the summer of 1897.
Mr Dearmer recorded the journey in his book ‘Highways and Byways in Normandy’, where he recommends a ‘knickerbocker suit of tweeds’ for cycling – which was worn by the Dean in his departure ceremony.
The Dean will stay at seven religious houses throughout his trip including the Abbey of Le Bec-Hellouin and will carry greetings from both Anglican and Roman Catholic religious communities.
The Friends of Worcester Cathedral have been tasked with recruiting one new ‘friend’ for every kilometre cycled by the Dean and it’s hoped the challenge will raise around £10,000, which will go towards the repair of the Edgar Tower which was first built by King John.
The Dean said: “This will be a real challenge for me, but one I’m looking forward to enormously. Percy Dearmer also recommended carrying a ‘folding india-rubber bath’ while travelling, but I feel confident French religious houses have probably installed showers since 1897.”
Visit www.deanofworcester.tumblr.com to keep up to date with the Dean’s pilgrimage, where he writes a daily blog post on his experiences.
Alternatively, visit www.worcestercathedral.org.uk for more information about the Friends of Worcester Cathedral.
