Charity Walk To Raise Foodbank Funds

Local parishioners are set to trek 15 miles all in aid of the area’s newest community welfare project – the Somer Valley Foodbank.

Sixteen churches across ten villages have teamed up in one their biggest displays of social outreach to date. Known collectively at the ‘Ten Lamps Group’, the villages are all part of the former Somerset coalfields and share a mining and industrial heritage, making the miner’s lamp a natural symbol for the group.

The network covers Farrington Gurney, Paulton, High Littleton, Priston, Camerton, Timsbury, Peasedown St John, Wellow, Foxcote and Shoscombe, and was founded several years ago following an agreement between Anglican and Methodist Churches in these communities to work together to strengthen and celebrate the Christian faith.

Revd Guy Edwards is the Rector of the Anglican communities in Paulton, High Littleton and Farrington Gurney, and is one of the walk coordinators.

He said: “Our walk will remind us of the mining industry which shaped people’s lives so deeply.  Those taking part will get to see much natural beauty, getting views of the countryside that you will never see from a car window.

“There is also much beauty, inspiration and history to be found in the church and chapel buildings, many of which will be open on route for us to look inside.

“Many people suffered hardship in the times when the mines were active – and for different reasons this is true today also. In response to peoples need in these difficult times, the Ten Lamps churches want to show their support for the Somer Valley Foodbank by raising funds through this sponsored walk.

“The Foodbank offers to people in urgent need three days worth of basic food, on up to three occasions, as well as referrals to other agencies that can help them out of difficulty.  Only in existence for four months – the food bank has already helped over 150 people – showing there is clearly a need for this provision.”

Anyone is welcome to take part in sponsored walk on Saturday 11^th May, which will take the form of a lamp relay demonstrating the unity of our communities.

Momentum will gather as participants join in for short stretches, and the main body of walkers will be united with a tributary branch starting at Priston and meets at Carlingcott for the final stretch together through Peasdown and onto a finale at St Julians, Wellow.

As well as enjoying a range of refreshments in churches throughout the day, walkers will be treated to views of several historic landmarks; the Double Hills Memorial near Paulton, Miners Memorial in Camerton, and the Neolithic Long Barrow in Stoney Littleton. The route is also home to scenes of some classic British films, Titfield Thunderbolt (1953) and Ghost Train (1941).

Charles Bentley, associated with Holy Trinity Church in Paulton is one of the walk organisers. He added: “It is good to see the local communities coming together through the inspiration of the ‘Ten Lamps Group’, enabling those of us who are in a fortunate position to help those who are in need. People from all ‘walks of life’, beliefs and convictions will be most welcome to come along and participate in either part of, or the full 15 miles – whatever they feel most comfortable with.

“Let’s hope the weather is kind to us on the day, and allow us to take time out from our busy lives and appreciate fully what we have on our own doorstep, with the added incentive of achieving our main aim of raising as much money as we can for the Foodbank.  At the end of our journey, we’ll finish at St Julian’s Church in Wellow for food, drink, and some light entertainment from our very own Ten Lamps Group choir.  And afterwards, for those of us in need of a little further sustenance, I believe there may be a local hostelry we could adjourn to!”

For more information about the walk and to download a Walkers Information Pack visit www.stjsgroup.org. Details can also be obtained by emailing [email protected] or calling Rev Guy Edwards on 07837 672481.

Enrolment costs £2 each. Shorter walk variations are available on the day.