People have walked the Icknield Way for thousands of years. A well trodden path, it is part of an ancient trading route along the chalk ridge across southern England, from the Norfolk coast across East Anglia, on to the plains of Wiltshire down to the coast in Dorset. My name is John Simmons a member of the Icknield Way Association. I will start at Thame in Oxfordshire after morning service in the church where I was ordained and will finish two weeks later at Thetford. Technically I will walk the Phoenix trail, then part of the Ridgeway and all of the Icknield Way path.
Why would I do such a thing? To celebrate my 70th birthday (on May 18), to give thanks for my deliverance from several serious illnesses, to raise funds for Diabetes UK and to continue my progress walking some of the UK long distance paths.
As I walk the Icknield Way I will see many glorious views as I look down from the chalk ridge. I will pass through the grounds of Chequers; I will see the “spellbinding views” from Ivinghoe Beacon as well as the amazing Whipsnade Tree Cathedral; I expect to make a tiny detour to pass George Orwell’s cottage; and I will walk through the Thetford Forest.
I will begin the walk at the church in Oxfordshire that I was ordained to serve back in 1992. I will walk through the Icknield Way Parish of which I was rector at the turn of the century and where I will preach on the middle Sunday of the walk at St Nicholas church in Elmdon. I will finish the two weeks walk by visiting a church service in Norfolk.
If you want to support me in this venture there are one or two ways you could help:
- do pray that my health will remain stable through this long hike
- do visit my JustGiving.com web page and make a donation for Diabetes UK
- if you can walk with me (and my brother) any days – perhaps the bank holiday weekend – you would be most welcome to do so
- if you can accommodate or find cheap accommodation for us (Helen, me and Mark) that would be helpful. Please email: John Simmons jgsimmons54@gmail.com
There is more information of my adventure in the attached document. Please support John in his adventure and the cause that he is supporting.