Fountains Ways – Ancient Paths for Modern Pilgrims
Formal launch: Saturday 21st March, 2026 St Andrew’s Church, Kirkby Malzeard, HG4 3RT
Following the succesful launch of the first of our Benefice Pilgrimage route, The Abbots' Way last September, we would love you to be able to join us for this exciting launch of our new Fountains Ways pilgrimage routes! For those wishing to take part in walking either or the two newest pilgrimage routes on March 21st, there will be a brief gathering, prayer and briefing at 10am in St Andrew's, Kirkby Malzeard. Two groups will then set out at about 10.30am, either walking north on the Fishers’ Way or south on the Curlew Way. Both walks are in the region of 7 miles and taking just over 4 hours, including reflective stops and church visits, where there will be displays and family-style activities. If you are planning on walking, please bring a day pack, with packed lunch, a drink, waterproof clothing, etc, and wear stout walking shoes or boots. Please be aware that there are uneven sections on both walks, with various stiles to climb over, and with significantly steeper elements on the Fishers’ Way.
We will reconvene at St Andrew’s. At 3.30pm there will be a short act of Thanksgiving, with a small brass ensemble. +Anna, Bishop of Ripon, will be saying a few words of encouragement and blessing. Those not wishing to walk, but simply to join us to celebrate the inauguration of Fountains Ways, will join us at this point. This will then be followed a couple of brief speeches and a reception, with refreshments, celebratory cake, tray-bakes, parkin, etc. Along with yourselves, we are inviting the press and our various benefactors to attend, as well as representatives of the Church, the National Trust and local businesses. If you would like to attend, please let us know, for catering purposes; explaining whether you intend to walk before the afternoon celebration (and which pilgrimage route you would prefer to walk), or simply to come for the latter at 3.30pm. Please contact Karen Pickles regarding attendance: 07498491191 or karenpickles@btinternet.com stating whether you have particular dietary issues. For those with nut allergies, please note that we cannot guarantee that everything served is completely nut-free.
Revd Andrew Cromarty, Project Lead, on behalf of the Fountains Ways Planning Team