A Stone man is leading an ambitious project to create a new footpath between the cathedral cities of Chester and Lichfield – with Stone’s history playing a key part on the route.
Retired headteacher and experienced long-distance walker David Pott wants to recreate a modern equivalent of the Medieval pilgrimage and the 80-mile walk will be the first waymarked pilgrimage route in the Midlands. The path will include a story trail in Stone, centred on the Medieval princes Wulfad and Rufin, whose tale is told on the iron rail sculpture at the top of the High Street.
Stone owes its origins to the actions of Wulfhere, king of the ancient kingdom of Mercia. He killed his sons – Wulfad and Rufin – for their religious beliefs and their burial site was marked by stones, which gave the town its name.
The proposed route from Chester will begin along the Shropshire Union Canal and lead to Nantwich via Beeston Castle. The route will continue eastwards across the M6 via Apedale to the Saxon Cross at Stoke Minster. It then heads south via the Trentham Estate, Stone and Stafford before joining the Heart of England Way across Cannock Chase to Lichfield.
Chester attracted pilgrims to the Holy Rood at St John’s (the former cathedral) and to St Werburgh’s shrine at the present cathedral. Lichfield was a popular destination for pilgrims at the shrine of St Chad, the Saxon saint who brought Christianity to the ancient kingdom of Mercia in the seventh century. The iron railings in Stone also feature St Werburgh and St Chad.
David said: “The project ties in with the new enthusiasm for the active spirituality of pilgrimage. Old pilgrimage routes, like the paths along the North Wales coast to Bardsey, are being walked again and new routes, such as St Cuthbert’s Way to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, have been established.
“A major motivation for Medieval pilgrims was to deal with major life issues and to seek healing in body, mind and soul. Modern pilgrims on this route will be able to make a journey of discovery and reconnection and find health in body, mind and soul.”
The intention is to open the footpath in 2012 and work is currently under way to secure funding and to carry out research and consultation. Find out more about the project here
