Peace Pilgrimage Podcast

Peace Pilgrimage Podcast
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A Podcast exploring how we can sow seed of peace in our world through the ancient spiritual practice of pilgrimage. Find out more about Peace Pilgrimage, and our upcoming Pilgrimage from Oxford to London -- https://peacepilgrimage.org.uk/ We're setting off from Oxford on Tuesday 5th September Arriving at the Excel Centre on the evening of Monday 11th September. Presented by Sam Donaldson, Matthew Neville and friends.

  1. Peace Pilgrimage to the SDSC Arms Fair

    2 FEB

    Peace Pilgrimage to the SDSC Arms Fair

    On Saturday 31st January a group of pilgrims walked from Birmingham City Centre to the NEC, in witness against the Special Defence and Security Convention (SDSC) arms fair. We follow their pilgrimage and hear their reflections. Find out more at: https://www.stop-sdsc.uk/home Poem: Lorna Foster Edit: Joe Holtaway Music ‘Anywhere I Am’ by Wonderousound https://wondrousound.com/ 'Listen To Women’ by Joe Holtaway https://joeholtaway.com/

    26 min
  2. Symon Hill

    27 JAN

    Symon Hill

    An interview with Symon Hill Symon is one of the Free-Church chaplains at Aston University, and a passionate advocate against the arms trade and militarism.

    20 min
  3. Day 7: Kilburn to The Arms Fair

    09/09/2025

    Day 7: Kilburn to The Arms Fair

    Day 7: Kilburn to the Arms Fair: The pilgrims set off from St Luke’s in Kilburn and step into the busy streets of London. Passing through Hyde Park and on to Trafalgar Square, their banner draws attention from many, and day walkers join to swell the journey eastward. Along the way, Pete and Sam reflect on a city filled with symbols — of money, power, and authority — and how these intertwine with the violence of the arms trade. At the Tower of London, the pilgrims pause for lunch before continuing toward the Docklands. Day walker Pat, active in Pax Christi and Women in Black, shares on the power of vigils and public witness. As the walk moves through Canary Wharf, Fran reflects on fear and trust as central elements of peacemaking. And we hear a collection of Haikus from our pilgrims. The day ends at the ExCeL Centre, site of the Arms Fair — with hearts heavy but grounded, marking the moment in prayer, reflection. The episode closes with Matthew reading Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen. Music in this episode: “The Great Pause” by Monica Max West; “Still” and “Kissing the Earth” by Melissa James.

    26 min
  4. Day 6: Harrow to Kilburn

    07/09/2025

    Day 6: Harrow to Kilburn

    Day Six: Harrow to Kilburn The pilgrims set out from Trinity Church in Harrow and make their way 11 miles through the heat of the city toward St Luke’s Church in Kilburn. It’s a long day on the road, but rich in memories, reflection, and shared witness. Sandy recalls her life in London before 1989, as the walk takes her close to her old neighbourhood and home. Kath, a seasoned Peace Walker from Scotland, shares stories from her 20 years of peace walking — including her recent journey with the Coat of Hopes, a patchwork pilgrim coat stitched together as a collective act of grief and hope in the face of the climate crisis. She laments the absurdity of conceiving, buying, and using weapons, while “the kind people get arrested,” and speaks of her gratitude for walking in community. Sam reflects on the pilgrims’ daily practice of silence and reads from his writing on presence. Arriving safely at St Luke’s before dinner, Matthew speaks with Rachel, a Methodist minister on sabbatical, about her inner journey — taking time for herself, God, and family. For her, protest and social witness are an essential part of it. The day closes with dinner, conversation, and even the washing-up bowl. Music in this episode: “Holy Water” by Joe Holtaway.

    20 min
  5. Day 5: Rickmansworth to Harrow

    06/09/2025

    Day 5: Rickmansworth to Harrow

    After a day of rest, the pilgrims set out once again from the Catholic Worker Farm, preparing for the path into London. Matthew opens the episode by reflecting on the women and children supported by the farm, many of whom have faced the challenges of the asylum system, and on what it means to consider our own privileges by stepping into another’s shoes. The morning begins with prayers from Scott of the farm, followed by Neil’s moving account of the peace that passes all understanding he felt during the night. Along the way we meet Pete, joining the pilgrimage today after playing a key role in its planning, and hear from Fran, who has been there since the beginning, reflecting on our relationship to wildnerness and managed countryside. Trinity Church in Harrow receives the pilgrims tonight. Matthew takes the time to catch up with Sam who tells us about his spiritual upbringing, his parents’ work in a medical mission in Nepal, and — like Matthew — reflects on privilege and its place in our understanding of peace. He reminds us that while there are no easy answers, for a future to be possible, we must keep striving toward it. Music in this episode: “Little Boxes” by The Nayar Collective.

    34 min
  6. Day 4: Rest Day at the Catholic Worker Farm in Rickmansworth

    05/09/2025

    Day 4: Rest Day at the Catholic Worker Farm in Rickmansworth

    Day Four: Rest Day at the Catholic Worker Farm After three days on the road, the pilgrims take a pause at the Catholic Worker Farm in Rickmansworth — a chance to rest their legs, lend a hand on the farm, and reflect together. Matthew speaks with Scott, who founded the farm 19 years ago. He shares how it has become a place of welcome and support for homeless women and children, and tells the story of his own journey — from serving in the US military to embracing the teachings of Jesus and choosing another path. Sam catches up with Sandy, a pilgrim whose climate activism has led her to discover the power of pilgrimage and witness as forms of activism. Being a rest day we leave the pilgrims to do just that and revisit a conversation from a previous episode of the Peace Pilgrimage podcast with East London Baptist pastor David Mann, who reflects on DSEI Arms Fair and its unwanted presence in East London. As the pilgrims rest and prepare to continue, this day offers space to listen, to learn, and to be grounded before the road ahead. More tomorrow... Music in this episode: “Forever” by Eli Carvajal

    44 min
  7. Day 3: High Wycombe to Rickmansworth

    04/09/2025

    Day 3: High Wycombe to Rickmansworth

    Day Three: High Wycombe to Rickmansworth. Day three of the pilgrimage began in the rain, but spirits remained high as the walkers made their way toward Rickmansworth. At Jordans Meeting House they received hospitality and a tour, a chance to pause and connect with Quaker history along the road. In this episode, Rachel shares a poem by A.S.J. Tessimond's, Daydream, reflecting on the world we want to build., Matthew offers a reflection on how easily we can become divided as people — and how the witness for peace can counter that tendency. Walking through a horse field, Sam remembers Adam Woods and reads a poem he wrote two years ago, seeing the countryside as a triumph of peace. The day closes with welcome hospitality at the Catholic Worker Farm in Rickmansworth, after the pilgrims symbolically cross the M25 into Greater London. Music in this episode: “Fruitforms” by Joshua Kay.

    11 min
  8. Day 2: Watlington to High Wycombe

    03/09/2025

    Day 2: Watlington to High Wycombe

    Day Two: Watlington to High Wycombe The second day of the pilgrimage began with breakfast at the church in Watlington, thanks to the hospitality of Father Andrew, before the walkers set out on the road toward High Wycombe. Sunshine and showers marked the day, but so too did rich conversation. In this episode, Matthew speaks at length with Ralph, who shares his journey of faith — from atheism to Quakerism — and how spiritual friendship and activism shape his life. This is not Ralph’s first pilgrimage, and he reflects on how his path now weaves together peace, climate action, and a deep sense of connection with the evolving life of Quakerism. We also drop into the 'Foot Clinic', where Sam speaks with Lorna, Chrissy and Rachel about nature connection and the ways the journey deepens awareness of the land. Along the way, the pilgrims are accompanied by red kites circling overhead and even a family of deer on the path — reminders of the beauty and presence of the natural world. Ratatouille for dinner! Music in this episode: “Slowly Unfold” by Flo Perlin

    16 min
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A Podcast exploring how we can sow seed of peace in our world through the ancient spiritual practice of pilgrimage. Find out more about Peace Pilgrimage, and our upcoming Pilgrimage from Oxford to London -- https://peacepilgrimage.org.uk/ We're setting off from Oxford on Tuesday 5th September Arriving at the Excel Centre on the evening of Monday 11th September. Presented by Sam Donaldson, Matthew Neville and friends.

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  • Creator
    Peace Pilgrimage Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Peace Pilgrimage Podcast
  • Show Website
    Peace Pilgrimage Podcast