Parishes by the Wall - Living Faith on the Frontier

We held a series of events over the weekend of September 2 and 3 to mark the Feast of the Translation of St Cuthbert. With a St Cuthbert’s church in both of our parishes, this celebratory weekend has become a tradition. These dates are the closest to the date when Cuthbert’s body was finally laid to rest in his shrine in Durham, following over a century of journeying from Lindisfarne. Tradition has it that Cuthbert’s body rested on the sites of both Haydon Old Church and St Cuthbert’s Beltingham as the monks were carrying the body from Holy Island. Our weekend began with Morning Prayer at Haydon Old Church, followed by a pilgrimage walk in glorious weather to Beltingham, for Midday prayer. The walkers then had a very well deserved lunch at Michael’s shop in Bardon Mill, and rested before Choral Evensong, sung by the Herdwyck Consort at 6 pm in Beltingham. Their “a capella” singing, in the beautiful setting of our ancient church was greatly appreciated by a large congregation. The evening ended with a supper at the Old Vicarage. Next day, we celebrated with a Joint Patronal Eucharist in St Cuthbert’s, Haydon Bridge.