Plan of Action

The intention is to open the footpath in 2012. In order to establish the footpath on a firm foundation it will be necessary to do the following...

 Seek funding for the project. The estimated cost to set up the pilgrimage route is £180,000.  Route Planning & Access Issues - exploring the route using public footpaths wherever possible and negotiating with landowners where necessary. St Chad’s Cross  Consultation - meeting with a number of potentially interested parties along the route. such as local councils, schools & faith groups. Existing partnerships include both cathedrals, Visit , Tourism, Staffordshire University and British Waterways.

 Research – visiting similar projects such as St Olav’s Way in Norway.

 Trialling pilgrimages with special groups.

 Producing a guide to the footpath.

For more information visit Goose - symbol of St http://www.twosaintway.org.uk T W O S A I N T S You can contact David Pott at The Two Saints Way is a not for profit [email protected] company limited by guarantee company no WAY PROJECT or by mobile phone 07932 790525 7483349. It is also supported by the Fountain Gate Trust registered charity no 298768 Recovering pilgrimage for health in body, mind and soul Introducing the project... Type As to enter well text as attracting pilgrims from UK The last twenty years or so has seen a and overseas, the project will be socially marked rise in the idea and practice of inclusive, such as seeking to provide special pilgrimage. There have been a large number pilgrimage opportunities for those with mental of publications about sacred sites around the health or addictions issues. country. Old pilgrimage routes, such as the  Early pilgrimage was especially associated paths along the North Wales coast to with storytelling, such as those told in Bardsey are being walked again and new Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The path will pilgrimage routes, such as St Cuthbert's Way include a story trail between Stoke and from Melrose to the Holy Island of centred on Stone, whose foundational Lindisfarne, have been established. story of the Saxon princes Wulfad and Rufin The central aim of the project is to create a also features St Chad and St Werbergh. new pilgrimage route of approximately 87  The footpath will be a rich educational miles between the cathedral cities of Chester resource, providing a range of cross curricular and . The footpath will be called Saxon’s Lowe, Tittensor Chase opportunities and the chance for students to the Two Saints Way after two Saxon saints experience pilgrimage for themselves. who brought Christianity to the ancient The project will especially highlight kingdom of Mercia in the seventh century. Anglo-Saxon history  A QR code system will be used on signage St Chad's shrine at Lichfield was a popular to enable walkers to access information by destination for pilgrims in medieval times. mobile phone and for such interactive Chester also attracted pilgrims to the Holy Special Features... concepts as taking a virtual tour of a monastic Rood at St John’s (the former cathedral) and site as it would have been in the Middle Ages. to St Werburgh’s shrine at the present cathedral.  The footpath will be the first way-marked The proposed route which is planned to pilgrimage route in the area. An innovative open by 2013, goes from Chester along the concept is that a disc with St Chad's cross will Shropshire Union Canal and proceeds to lead pilgrims from Chester to Lichfield, while a via Beeston Castle. The route will disc with the goose emblem of St Werbergh will continue eastwards across the M6 via direct pilgrims from Lichfield to Chester. Apedale to the Saxon Cross at Stoke Minster  The discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard near in Stoke-on-Trent. From thence it will take a Lichfield has increased interest in Anglo-Saxon southerly direction via the Trentham Estate, history. The establishment of the route will Stone and Stafford before joining the Heart provide further opportunities to highlight this of England Way across Cannock Chase to period of England’s history. Lichfield.  Medieval pilgrims often journeyed to seek The Two Saints Way Project ties in with this healing. Modern pilgrims on this route will have new mood of enthusiasm for the active the opportunity to be resourced in various ways spirituality of pilgrimage in a way that is (including a meditation guide) so that they can relevant to the contemporary context. make an intentional journey to find health in body, mind and soul. Lichfield Cathedral from Stowe Pool