THE annual Bradwell Pilgrimage was hailed a huge success once again this year.

The pilgrimage is close on one hundred years old. In the first week of July each year, for decades, churches have organised coach parties or encouraged small groups and individuals to meet together in Bradwell-on-Sea for a two-mile walk of pilgrimage.

Pilgrims end their walk at St Peter's chapel, the remains of a monastery founded by St.Cedd.

The meaning and purpose of the pilgrimage varies. To some individuals it is a personal effort to rediscover their faith for others it is a good opportunity for a day out in an inspiring environment and a chance to meet other Christians and learn about their ways and activities.

This year, Ted and Elizabeth Sawyer-Bayliss, founders of the community group Peace Place Trust, provided a Pilgrim Bivouac; camping to pilgrims such as wheel-chair bound Joe, who came all the way to Bradwell from Ealing via public transport.

After being dropped by the bus by the Kings Head pub, he downed a pint and completed the last two miles of the pilgrimage in his battery driven chair.

This year was a double pilgrimage for Ted and Elizabeth, as they made the journey to Volgograd to watch the England Team play their first World Cup match in the stadium, to share friendship with the Russian people and to learn as much as possible about the country and people.

Ted said: “After two and a half weeks in Russia we returned to Bradwell just two weeks before the pilgrimage, and we had a mega-job of work ahead of us preparing our 'Battle's Field' site for campers, a speakers and entertainment tent, and a fire-pit for our annual spit-roast lamb.”

This year’s ceremonies also included the re-dedication of The Peace Place Cedar Tree. Each year the tree is dedicated to the memory of the life and work of a person contributing to Peace through Truthful Witness.

The tree was planted in 2017 to celebrate the life and work of journalist, Fran Scott-Anderson, who died that year. This year a ceremony was held by the tree in memory of Peter Lyall who campaigned on behalf of victims of sexual abuse.