Dear Pilgrim,

I hope that you want to walk the Ely Leg of Student Cross this year. This is just a quick letter to inform you of the plan for the walk and costs etc. to help you decide. If you want to join us this year (I really hope that you can) then please complete the attached application form.

We will meet in Ely on Tuesday evening, gathering at the Methodist Hall from 5.00 pm onwards. This year we have been invited to join the Methodist community for a hot meal followed by a short service at 7.30 pm. There will be a welcome, “getting to know new faces” and briefing time before retiring to the pub for a swift half.

We are being blessed on our way by the Bishop of Huntingdon early on Wednesday morning, and then we start walking what will be about 20 miles to Downham Market where we will rest that evening. From Downham Market we continue to Harpley on Maundy Thursday, a distance of about 23 miles. Friday’s walk is 15 miles and we reach Walsingham around 4.30 pm.

You will need to bring a sleeping bag. A carry-mat, lilo or camp bed is also a very good idea as we sleep on church hall floors, which can be cold and hard. You will need lightweight, waterproof boots or trainers as most of our route is on roads. Generally, clothing should be suitable for walking in unpredictable conditions; drying wet clothes en-route is difficult. All luggage is carried by car.

Getting to Ely is possible by car or train. Buses may also be available. If you intend to bring a car, it will have to be left in Ely, in the Bishop of Huntingdon’s driveway. The main support vehicle will bring you back to Ely on Saturday morning to collect your car and take it to Walsingham.

We are hoping to raise funds to subsidise the cost of the week, but at the moment must assume the worst, that no support money will be forthcoming, so please budget for the cost this year to be £120 waged, £60 unwaged and children, and £70 if you are organising your own accommodation in Walsingham, i.e. not sleeping in the Pilgrim Bureau. This covers the cost of food and accommodation.

Unless you arrange a lift to get home from Walsingham (often available at Walsingham itself), you will also need money for one of the coaches. These run to London/Leicester stopping at one or two places en-route and are expected to cost about £10/£15 a head. In addition, you will need money for any drinking you intend to do.

The pilgrimage is ONLY insured third party so I would recommend that people take out holiday or accident insurance. If you are interested in coming, please complete and return the enclosed form. A deposit of £20 will guarantee you a place.

Looking forward to seeing you in Ely,
Katie Dudley, Leader 2008
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