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St Mary’s, Over Silton has stood in the middle of a field, without electricity or water, for over 800 years. Pilgrims have been walking to Santiago de Compostela, in northern Spain, for even longer.
St Mary’s needs many costly repairs just to stay open. I am the churchwarden and am trying to raise some of the money needed – c. £46,000 at the last count.
In September, after having toyed with the idea for several years, I shall start walking to Santiago from St Jean Pied de Port in the south of France, almost 500 miles with a climb over the Pyrenees at the start. I shall be staying in pilgrim hostels and carrying all my stuff – clothes, sleeping bag, Factor 50 and anti-bedbug spray – in my rucksack. I have no experience of long distance walks, I prefer comfort, I speak no Spanish and I can’t stand the heat. However, those of you who know me will also know how hard it is to stop me when my mind is made up. In fact, startled neighbours already seen me practising, complete with walking poles and rucksack, around the hillier parts of the area.
And, in answer to the question I have been asked most often (apart from "Why?"), I am going on my own, not with friends or with a guided tour or any other backup. It's just me and my rucksack.
I would be very grateful if you could sponsor me in this madness – anything you can spare, in these straitened times, would be hugely appreciated. As you can see, St Mary’s church is lovely and deserves to remain standing for many more years and, with your help, it will.
PS I start on 14 September AND FINISHED on 20 October. Very please with myself. All support still gratefully accepted, especially as a very generous donation from the Jack Brunton Trust has meant I can raise my target and, thus, pay for even more of the outstanding repairs. Many many thanks to the Trust.
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