27/05/2025
We were delighted to welcome a group of walkers who decided on a Pilgrimage, after watching the BBC2 TV programme and created a walk around our part of North Devon.
It was advertised around town and via the local churches. There were 14 walkers in total, starting at St Mary's Church in Mortehoe, then the standing stones at Damage Barton, passing North Morte Well on the way. They walked down into Lee and visited St Matthew's church, stopping for a picnic lunch. Then followed the coastal path to Ilfracombe visiting Holy Trinity Church before finishing at our St Nicholas Chapel on Lantern Hill.
At each of the stops they learned something of the history and listened to specially written reflective poems by Taunton based poet, Philippa Johnson.
Our custodian, Ivan Francis was happy to share the history of our little chapel and listened to the very apt and wonderful poem :
" Pilgrimage Poem – The Lantern Chapel
From chaos, form;
From darkness, light;
From seas, dry land.
Root of the Rock, anchor me;
Wind of the Spirit, fill my sails;
Heart of the Father, haven for me.
Songs of the sea, inspire me to praise;
Beacon in troubled weather, lead me by safe passage;
All the works of His hands, praise His name.
Light of the world, guard me from danger;
Light of the world, guide my living & dying;
Light of the world, bring me safe into your harbour,
bring us safe into your harbour.
By Philippa Johnson "
