By DEACON BARRY MELLISH
Deacon Barry Mellish reflects on a transformative five-day walking pilgrimage from Southwark Cathedral to Aylesford Priory, recounting moments of faith, fellowship, and unexpected joy along the 50-mile journey.
Pilgrimage to Aylesford – Day 1
In a fit of bravery or madness (take your pick), I decided to take part in the Archdiocese of Southwark walking pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory, starting at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark – a distance of about 50 miles spread over five days (Monday 2nd to Friday 6th June 2025).
I arrived at the Cathedral at 9am, registered, and met my fellow group members (we were split into five groups of about 10 people). There were about 70 people on the pilgrimage, but not everybody walked every day.
We had Mass at 10am, celebrated by Canon Michael Branch, and I deaconed at the mass. We had an excellent homily given by Canon Michael Dawson, Sub-Dean and Canon Pastor of Southwark Anglican Cathedral.
After Mass and some admin, our group, St George, was off. The first part of the walk was along and across busy streets. The first stop was Church of the Most Precious Blood. Then we went on to Southwark Anglican Cathedral for some refreshments and a pilgrim blessing by Canon Michael Dawson. Canon Michael and two of his flock joined our group for the day.
We continued along the Thames path, which was lovely and with good weather, and we called in at St Peter and the Guardian Angels, St Mary the Virgin (Anglican) and the Dog and Bell (a pub). We finished at Our Lady Star of the Sea at Greenwich for Adoration and Evening Prayer.
On the route, we passed the blue plaque showing the starting point of the Mayflower’s jaunt to America, Russia Dock Woodland and Park, and the extraordinary monument to Peter the Great (unveiled in 2001) – a short walk along the river path from the centre of Greenwich, overlooking Deptford Creek. These were all things I had not seen or visited before. It was a good first day with lovely weather.
Day 2
I did not stay overnight at Greenwich, but went home (given a lift by a good friend, Jaydev). Susan, our parish secretary, took me back to Greenwich early for Mass at 8am. Breakfast, provide by the parish, was followed by the off.
First stop was St Alphege Church, Greenwich, followed by a walk up the hill in Greenwich Park to the viewpoint by the James Wolfe statue – though we had misty rain.
Then we went across Blackheath to All Saints Church for a prayer and a stamp in our “Pilgrim’s Passport”. Then round the back of the Cator Estate, across the new “Kidbroke Estate” (lovely landscaping) and across various paths, including King John’s Walk.
Over lunch, we fed the donkeys in an adjacent field – are we the only pilgrimage to take two kilogrammes of carrots with us?
Then we went across part of Chinbrook Meadows into Elmstead Woods, ending up at St Patrick’s Church in Chislehurst. After a welcome cuppa, sarnies and cake, we heard a talk on Pilgrimage followed by Adoration and Evening Prayer. For me, it was then a 162 bus to Bromley and home.
It was another interesting and enjoyable day, despite Monday’s balmy weather turning to misty and damp (but not heavy rain).
Day 3
Wednesday saw me up bright and early to catch the 162 bus back to St Patrick’s Church Chislehurst for 8am Mass with the rest of the group. After Mass, we enjoyed a breakfast, courtesy of the lovely parishioners.
We left at about 9.30 to start our day’s stroll of just over 13 miles to Shoreham (Kent). Our group, which had started out with 13, was down to the Magnificent Seven – Leonie, Colin, Charlotte, Joe, Ogechi, Dan and yours truly!
Today’s walk was different to the first two days. Rather than city, river and urban parkland, today we started on Chislehurst Common, across St Paul’s Wood, Scadbury Park, Crockenhill, and under the M25. We then travelled to St Botolph’s Church at Lullingstone, then along the Darent Valley to Shoreham Station, where the day’s activity ended. As one of the team said, who would have thought that two days earlier we were at St George’s Cathedral and now we were a world away – all on our two feet? Three days gone, two to go!
Day 4
Day 4 saw the Magnificent Seven gather at Shoreham Station. We made a quick visit to St Peter & St Paul Church in Shoreham. Then a walk through the rain to Most Holy Trinity Church at Otford, where we had a cuppa provided by the lovely parishioners, and then on to St Bartholomew’s at Otford.
Then we went to St Edith’s Well at Kemsing where we prayed before lunch. Edith had the chance to become Queen of England, but she preferred to become a nun.
After a visit to St Mary’s in Kemsing, we began the ascent of the North Downs. Fortunately for us, the rain had stopped and the clouds had lifted, so we were able to enjoy the views.
We set off across the downs and began our steep descent. By now, it was starting to drizzle a bit, so the views were somewhat nullified. Then we had a two-mile-plus walk along Pilgrims Way – for me, the least exciting part of the day – and into St George’s Wrotham, followed by a visit to The Bull Hotel at Wrotham. Some preferred tea and cake, while some of us supported the local hop growers and brewing industry!
Then it was a short stroll of 1.2 miles to Borough Green Station and off to lodgings etc for the night. Four days down, one to go.
Day 5
The Magnificent Seven were, at last, on the home straight. It was a long one – 13.5 miles – but it was the end!
The day started later than usual with Mass at 9.20, although it was delayed until about 9.35. With some other minor delays, we were about an hour behind schedule. The great grace though was that during Mass the heavens opened – with a Biblical-like downpour! If we had been on schedule, we would have been soaked.
The church, St Joseph’s in Borough Green, is fairly new and an interesting design. The priest and parishioners made us very welcome.
And we were off again! The first part was walking to Wrotham to continue along The Pilgrims Way. Our first port of call was Trottiscliffe Church, then along to Coldrum Long Barrow, an early Neolithic burial site. We stopped and had lunch.
Then we went along the edge of the North Downs to St Benedict’s at Paddlesworth – a 900-year-old tiny Norman church.
The route took a loop for us to cross the Medway, and then we headed on to Burham Church and the final 2.5 miles to Aylesford Priory.
We walked into the Priory as a group singing our hearts out. It was a great feeling. We had all had “moments” along the way, but we all helped each other. The biggest lesson for me at least was that it is not about the “I”, but about being tolerant of each other’s foibles and becoming a true team, each working for the others.
It was a great experience, which I heartily recommend. Many thanks to all who helped in any way. We could not have done it without you.
Day 6
What is he on about, I hear you asking? They had reached Aylesford Priory – what is this Day 6 all about? Well, yesterday, Saturday 7th June 2025, was the day that the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Southwark gathered together at Aylesford Priory to celebrate Mass together as a whole under Archbishop John Wilson during this Year of Jubilee.
Most of the 2,000+ people there arrived by coach, car or train. Our Band of Pilgrims arrived on foot!
2025 is also a special year for the Catholic Church in Great Britain. It marks 175 years since Pope Pius IX issued, on September 29th 1850, the Papal Bull Universalis Ecclesiae which restored the Catholic Hierarchy in Great Britain and the original 13 dioceses, including Southwark, were founded.
it was a great day. We received our Pilgrimage Certificates from Bishop Paul Hendricks. The overall pilgrimage organiser, Stuart Edwards, assisted by some of his fellow pilgrims, gave a talk on our pilgrimage in the North Barn.
The highlight of the day was the Mass by principal celebrant Archbishop John, in the main area at Aylesford. Deacon Dan Turner, a fellow pilgrim and one of the Magnificent Seven, and I were privileged to deacon at the Mass. Dan did the speaking roles and I did the action parts. It was somewhat nerve-racking being in front of 2,000+ people. It was a beautiful Mass and all seemed to go well.
The weather forecast for the day was about 70 per cent chance of rain with high winds. This did mean that there was a 30% chance of no rain. We were blessed! It did not rain until after the Mass had finished – and boy did it rain! I was given a lift home by a friend, Deacon Duncan Aitkins.
It was a fantastic experience. My current feeling is one of great joy. It is amazing how a group of strangers can, in a few days, become friends and form a team bound together by love of the Lord and love of one another. Thank you one and all.