Hadrian's Mark

You might be aware that the two Radio 2 presenters Radcliffe & Maconie are walking the wall this week and presenting their radio shows from pubs in the evening. Details here and here

Well they might have beaten us to it but I am sure that ours is a much more worthy cause. But folowing them might give you an idea of what we are up to – so why not tune in or follow them on Twitter or Facebook

A little more detail about each day so that if you can’t join us for a whole day you could still come for part of a day. The longer sections can even be broken down further. Later in the week we will work out approximate timings and meeting places. All distances are in miles.

Day 1 – Thursday 24 September.

Bowness  to Burgh by-Sands     8,    Burgh-by-Sands to Carlisle     7,     Carlisle to Crosby     4,      Crosby to Newtown     5,     Newtown to Walton     2

TOTAL     26

Day 2 – Friday 25 September

Walton to Gilsland     7,      Gilsland to Greenhead     2,     Greenhead to Steel Rigg     7

TOTAL     16

Day 3 – Saturday 26 September

Steel Rigg to Housesteads    3,     Housesteads to Chollerford     9,     Chollerford to A68     5,     A68 to East Wallhouses     4

TOTAL     21

Day 4 – Sunday 27 September

East Wallhouse to Heddon     6,     Heddon to Tyne Bridge     10, Tyne Bridge to Wallsend     5

TOTAL      21

It’s been fun and a little scary looking at the details for the walk. The official trail website has lots of great information which you can check out here. One of the scary pages is the gradient page – Day 3 looks like a tough one.

I decided I would need some new lightweight and waterproof boots early enough to walk them in. So off to the outlet shop I went and purchased new boots. Amazingly the shop agreed that I can wear them in around the house and if they aren’t comfortable I can return them as long as I haven’t worn them outside!

John's new boots!

Anyway here is a picture of the boots (the joys of the internet) and a link to various views here. If you choose to join the walk then you will see me wearing them.

In late September the staff in the Scripture Union Northern team want to raise the profile of this work and the financial needs by organising a walk along the length of Hadrian’s Wall, 84 miles in 4 days from September 24-27. (A challenge as it is normally undertaken over 6 days).  

We invite you to be part of this opportunity. 

You could do this in any or all of the ways below

1. Joining us to walk the whole length of the wall

2. Joining us for a day or part of a day

3. Being part of a support team supplying food, drinks or accommodation to the walkers

4. Committing to support the work of Scripture Union financially on a regular monthly basis—as a practical way of partnering with us in the work.

5. Sponsoring one or more of those walking with a gift to enable the work in the North to continue and grow. 

Hadrian’s Wall runs across the North of England as one tangible reminder of the impact of the Romans on this part of the world. Hadrian left his mark and almost 2000 years later you can see the evidence of his decisions. During the same time of history, the first Christians were leaving their mark on the world in which they lived. Wherever they went they told people about Jesus and lived in ways that demonstrate what it meant to follow him. 

Scripture Union has been carrying on that task with children young people and families for nearly 140 years. Through volunteers and staff and a wide range of activities including holidays, schools work, holiday clubs and published resources we seek to make the Good News of Jesus accessible for today’s world. So much of this work takes place quietly and secretly—someone recently called Scripture Union one of the best kept secrets. We want to maintain and grow local Scripture Union ministry but we can only do this with your help.

It is only possible because of people giving financial support for this work. An increase in gift income is essential to continue to make the most of the opportunities already available to us. 

Tell us how you’re going to partner with us today! Please let us know by registering your interest in being involved by 10th September. Just reply to this e-mail indicating the way(s). 

Want to see how we’re getting on? Follow our blog http://hadriansmark.wordpress.com/