Extension of the Athelstan Pilgrim Way

The Athelstan Pilgrim Way which, when completed, will link all 36 Anglican churches in the North Wiltshire Deanery, was launched in June 2024 with the opening of two of its planned 6 circular routes. On 5th April 2025 a further two routes will be opened with a pilgrimage from Malmesbury Abbey to Great Somerford and a talk at Great Somerford by the writer, environmentalist and broadcaster Martin Palmer entitled ‘Walking Gently: From Sacred Land to Storied Churches’; following the talk there will be a further short walk onwards to Dauntsey.  On 6th April there will be a circular pilgrimage walk between All Saints Church, Sutton Benger and All Saints Church, Christian Malford.

This is a good opportunity to visit several of the lovely churches in the north of the county, many of which have benefitted from WHCT grants in past years, while at the same time experiencing some of the delights of pilgrimage. Full details of the events are available at https://athelstanpilgrimway.org/

New Servery at All Saints, Whiteparish

At a well-attended service at All Saints, Whiteparish, on 2nd March the Archdeacon of Sarum, Ven Alan Jeans MBE, dedicated the recently installed servery at the west end of the church.  This brings to an end a five year programme of work made possible by grants from many charities and trusts and imaginative fund-raising by the congregation and village community. WHCT’s contribution of £1000 in 2020 was a relatively small part of this but it came early in the process and enabled the movement of the font back to its original position near the north door, thus clearing space for all subsequent work; and it set an example of financial support that others with deeper pockets could follow.  The end result is already popular with the congregation and other church users and is in keeping with this lovely church, which is open every day – visit if you can.

Ride & Stride 2024: Presentation of Cups

During pastoral visits in recent weeks the Archdeacon of Sarum, the Venerable Alan Jeans MBE, has presented the trophies awarded after Ride & Stride 2024. He is shown here presenting the Brooke Cup for the Best Achieving Parish to the Churchwarden of St Andrew’s, Wooton Rivers, Richard Bradford; and the Brooke Junior Cup for Under-18s to some of the children who took part from St Michael and All Angels, Shalbourne.  Congratulations to both churches, repeating their successes of previous years.

 

New Year Honours, 2025

Congratulations to our President, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sarah Troughton, who was appointed Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the New Year Honours. We’re grateful for Dame Sarah’s enthusiastic support of the Trust over many years 

Images of 40th Wiltshire Ride and Stride

Commemorative plaque

A selection of images from the 40th Wiltshire Ride and Stride day, 14th September 2024

The Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire and President of the Trust, Mrs Sarah Troughton, launched the 40th Wiltshire Ride and Stride at 10:00am on Saturday 14th September 2024 at St Mary’s Church, Lydiard Tregoze and presented the first commemorative plaques to St Mary, St Augustine in Even Swindon and St Leonard if Stanton Fitzwarren 

It was a perfect day for riding or striding around Wiltshire and visiting its beautiful churches and chapels

The images below show a small selection of images from the day. More will be added in due course