Some brief background info on St. Hilda (614 – 680) She was the Abbess of Whitby Abbey and an important figure in the Synod of Whitby. Which decided between the Roman and Celtic dates for Easter.

I arrived at Witby on a warm, sunny Saturday morning. Took the steps down from the yha (becides the abbey ruins) and breathed in some of the atmosphere of the place. As expected, there were many people, families, young and old having their day out experience. On the Monday, I set out along the basic route she would have made, heading north to the village of Hinderwell.

At Hinderwell, there’s a spring well besides the parish church, dedicated to her. She was said to have prayed for water during a draught once, and a spring appeared as a result. Then I continued along a disused railway line for a few miles, quite overgrown in parts. Also at one point, a heard of bullocks blocked the route. Fortuately a farmer’s boy was passing by and he suggested to wave them away and not to worry.

On the Tuesday morning I rode towards Middlesborough, on route to Hartlepool. The area was mainly housing estates and industrial complexes, quite different to pre-industrial times. Fortuately, there was a broad pavement with cycle signs, keeping the way ahead clear. Passing by the Tees transporter bridge wich was closed for maintenance. On over the historic Tee Newport bridge, headed to Headland at Hartlepool for a sandwhich lunch. I arrived and checked if the church (St Hilda’s) there was open, it was’nt. Even so, I could imagine St Hilda resting after journing and the peaceful atmosphere to wecome her there. For the Third route, I travel to Bishop Auckland, for the route via Durham.

My route took me through Conistone, Kilnsey and up a steep gravel road over Malham moor, down to Malham itself. The sun was out and with the many lambs bouncing about, there was a feeling of something new to be discovered. Next through Kirkby Malham and then up over a number of windy moor lanes, descending down to Settle, alittle after 6pm. Cycling on to Giggleswick, and taking a quieter route, (rather than the main A65) headed towards Ingleton to stay at the YHA. On arrival, checking for my wallet realised it was missing and it was very likely in my walking coat pocket, back in the van. Also I had a heavier than expected set of panniers and felt I needed to return asap to the the van and sort this. The next day (Thursday) I cycled back the same route and discovered the wallet was in the place I guessed to be. I then decided to drive along the route after Ingleton, as my time was behind schedule. Driving up Scar end, along Thomton lane, was not unlike being on another planet. A barren wilderness with some limestone features ascending through a broad valley, then descending down a very steep road towards the village of Dent. I then decided to take the right turn, by the main sign post and head east via Deepdale, Cowgill and Hawes, to complete the Dales trip.

After a year living at Scargill house, the way now seems open to a new life, a simpler, more prayerful one even. During the year, I worked on the house team, cleaning and preparing the rooms for the guests. There was rhythm of prayer, three times a day: 8:30am Bible passage, 1.45pm community group and 4:30pm a Psalm. This was a time of working out what living in community is about.

May 8th – 10th: I set off on the first part of the cycle pilgrimage in the direction of the St Alkelda’s way. Starting from Scargill house (near Kettlewell) and cycling south to Malham and Giggleswick. Then northwest to Ingleton, Burton in Lonsdale, and ending in Gawthrop, where I spend the last night camping in a farmer’s field.

The tour finishes on the Friday, which leads me to the second route: The St Hilda’s way.

I hope to focus mainly on the rugged hills and the play of light during each day.

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After hearing of stories of walking the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James), the idea of a pilgrimage walk, had been a plan for quite some time. However like a lot of these plans, they seem to just stay that way. Then after lock-down, around late Summer of 2022, with my bank overdraft very much in use and feeling something had to change… I decided to switch my mode of transport. I put a deposit for an e-bike and had two years to pay the rest off. I also found a large old chrome bell, that gave a lower tone sound, but quite grand warning at the same time. I was now a daily cyclist, commuting at all hours to the local hospital and then home, up the hill, contemplating the varieties of road surfaces, as I reflected on the day just gone. Then Spring of 2023 had arrived and I found myself living in the Yorkshire Dales, at a community of different people, also searching for a new thing to the daily norm. Not that I was moving for good, as I continued to visit folk at home and manage to undertake some hospital shifts. But how could a change from my routines, spending on the next thing, realising that the campervan idea was beyond my financial means. Perhaps a simpler lifestyle with lower outgoings and a bigger life picture would open up the door to a new direction? Would it be possible at the age of forty nine and a half? The adventure starts in early May of 2024: The routes will be following those of past saints, monks & pilgrims (before motorist transport) across the UK. Firstly in 2024 the Celtic routes mainly, then in 2025 a variety in England and north Wales. Included in the pannier bag will be a note pad & pen, and a twin lens camera, loaded with black and white film. Also a smart phone, in order to update the blog. There with be short paragraphs the history, my interpretation of each spot (or place) and photography.

The photographic display is a personal reflection of the river, past and present. The route starts in Calderdale, continues via Wakefield, ending as it flows into the river Aire. 

My approach was also influenced by the Canticle of Brother Sun prayer, where St Francis seems to bring nature to a higher light: “Praised be to you my Lord, with all your creators, especially brother Sun.”  “Praised be to you sister water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.”

At each location I chose to focus on what was presented, in its different forms.

The exhibition was show are part of the Wakefield Art walk event, on January 26th, 2022.

 

After approximately ten assignments, mainly around Calderdale, myself and tutors Matt and Jon edited the 65 proof prints to thirteen. The process was interesting and we felt that the topic would serve well for black and white portraiture and colour for location spaces. They were put into group categories for: image merit, locations and whether they were taken portrait or landscape, and how they would be displayed as a set. The size was A3 and the matt prints were mounted on mounting card. However, as the card was too thin, there was some curling. I felt the chosen print size would be appropriate for the subject displayed.

I got some positive feed back from my tutors and class colleagues, saying the subject was  interesting and photographs of good quality. Furthermore, two friends said they though the pictures had good narratives and liked the two images of the homeless basement bedroom and reception at the refugee center in particular.

I chatted to other class colleagues about their work also, which included portraits and landscapes from their perspective.

My statement read as follows: Church and Community: The display is about exploring, through the medium of Photography, my place in community. As the Christian faith is important to me, I chose to focus on ways the church is active and has a significant place in the 2010s. I hope to show how Faith and Spirituality can be a strong motivation to do good. Through symbols from a pair of old boots to a tree in bloom, they reflect the basic necessities with the Greater Light, which can be sometimes overlooked. Each place has something to communicate visually about hope, dignity, past and present and that church has enriched community.

 

The Welcome garden project began after a conversation with the vicar of All Saints Halifax, about showing it in in stages as visuals, via facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Welcome-Garden-Project-Photos-2451137445172860/

The project began on April 27th 2019 and two further visits on May 10th and 17th. On completion there will be four or six prints exhibited in the church itself.

Joined Jean Blakey with her self published children’s book : http://www.cluckcluckduck.weebly.com and set up table at Clitheroe’s monthly craft event, in the center of the town. Although there were limited sales that day, I was able to have a number of interesting conversations with visitors and other creatives. The venue was at a United Reformed chapel, the worship service song books stacked to the left of the front entrance.

Met up with Photographer Mat Dale today, http://www.matdalephoto.com for a chat and folio feedback.  I was particularly interested in his style as a Documentary Photographer and his project with the real junk food project providing food for the homeless in Leeds. He talked about how he is able to be sensitive as Photographer in different environments. Also why he enjoys being a Leeds based Photographer. He encouraged me to continue with Portrait Photography in the way I feel happy to, ie with tripod and giving the person full attention. He also suggested visiting an active community church: All Hallows in Burley.