The Parish Pilgrimage to Our Lady's Shrine in Little Walsingham, Norfolk first took place in the very early 1960s when Fr Peter Keightley became the Vicar of The Holy Spirit Southsea. Since those early days the Pilgrimage has become an annual event with some of us clocking up 50 visits. Walsingham, for those pilgrims, has become like a second home and a place of peace and comfort where we can recharge the batteries and enjoy the company of many, many lovely people.
These photographs span the decades of our pilgrimages to Walsingham and hopefully you will recognise some of the pilgrims now gone but still very much in our hearts and always remembered, especially when we are in Walsingham each year.
The Holy House in the Shrine Church
The Front of Shrine Church
Just one of the outside Stations of the Cross
The Calvary in the Shrine Gardens
1981 - Sean Kanavan on his 10th birthday in the old refectory with Ena Russell, Margaret Jewell and Eddie Eades
Candlelit Procession with Fr David Dunn, Vicar and Fr Kevin Bidgood, curate (in the days when Holy Spirit had two curates and one could be left 'to mind the shop!')
Bill Payne with three of our then very young servers, Richard Eades, Sean Kanavan and Michael Chitty
Dawn Hasker and Sharon Holloway escorting the image of Our Lady in Procession
Albert Young, Jacquie Holloway, Kay Bidgood, and Thelma James singing the Pilgrim Hymn
Waiting for the coach outside the Shrine Church. From the left: Mrs Jeisdney, Kay Bidgood, Atelli Little, Bill Payne, Anthony Groves, Betsy Dunn, Margaret Harrison, Jill Eades, Joan Seward, Keith Day, Vic Hardcastle, Jacquie Holloway, Sue Kanavan, Cliff Holloway, Michael Bourner, Veronica Bourner, Phillip Kanavan and Percy Dunn.
Outside the Roman Catholic Shrine. Anthony Groves, Bill Payne, Fr Goddard, curate, Sue Kanavan, Keith Day, Michael Bourner and Phillip Kanavan
Enjoying a local venue
Enjoying a drink and fun in 'The Bull'
Paddling in the Walsingham Ford
Stations of the Cross with the Parish Group in the early 1990s
Drinks and fun in 'The Black Lion' Walsingham late 80s / early 90s. Clockwise from bottom left: Mrs Wareing, Cliff Holloway, (hidden) Jacquie Holloway and Veronica Bourner, Norah Hurrell, Sean Kanavan, Anthony Groves, Paul Bourner, Tom Kanavan, Margaret Harrison, Phillip Kanavan, Joan Seward, Keith Day, Bill Payne, Fr Goddard, Michael Bourner and Graham Wareing.
Sean Kanavan, Michael Chitty, Tom Kanavan and Paul Bourner enjoying being youngsters in Walsingham
Slightly more recent photos
2011 - Thelma James. ?????, Keith Day, Carrie Blandford, Albert Young, Jean Hasker, Jean Gudgeon, Sean Kanavan, Sue Kanavan, Oliver Kanavan, Phillip Kanavan, Tina Kanavan, Val Rose, Fr Julian, Anthony Groves, Michael Bourner, Jeanette Griffiths, Veronica Bourner and Chris Porter.
Candlelit Supper in the Refectory (including fish and chips from Wells, and candles from the Shrine Church - no power in Walsingham for several hours!)
'Three Little Maids' - Jeanette, Chris and Carrie, who shared a cottage in 2012 and said it felt like their college days all over again
2015 - The end of the Pilgrimage Party in St Anne's Sitting Room, a house which often becomes our base for the Pilgrimage each year. Michael Bourner, Tina Kanavan, Richard Fuller, Rosie Kanavan and Ollie Kanavan
As above, with Cliff Holloway, Jacquie Holloway, Father Phillip, Jess Amey, Keith Day, Jean Hasker, Chris Porter and Albert Young
2016 - back row: Keith Day, Ruth Dash, Joe Lovick, Jean Hasker, Diana Harris, Jacquie Holloway, Molly Morris, Veronica Bourner, Michael Bourner, Phillip Kanavan and Anthony Groves; front row: Fr Phillip, Richard Fuller, Val Rose, Jean Gudgeon, Sue Kanavan and Denise McCalleff
back row: Keith Day, Ruth Dash, Joe Lovick, Jean Hasker, Diana Harris, Jacquie Holloway, Molly Morris, Veronica Bourner, Michael Bourner, Phillip Kanavan and Anthony Groves; front row: Jeannette Griffiths, Richard Fuller, Val Rose, Jean Gudgeon, Sue Kanavan and Denise McCalleff
2019 - back row: Philip Kanavan, Keith Day, Veronica Bourner, Angela Etherington, Michael Bourner and Anthony Groves; middle row: Val Rose, Carrie Blandford, Fr Russell, Jacquie Holloway, Joy Haines and Jean Gudgeon; front row: Sue Kanavan, Ruth Dash, Jayne MacDonald, Jean Hasker and Jane Gates
Ruth Dash and Jane Gates
Angela Etherington, Philip Kanavan and Jayne MacDonald
Jacquie Holloway, Val Rose, Joy Haines and Carrie Blandford
Jean Hasker, Veronica Bourner and Keith Day
Fr Russell, Jean Gudgeon and Sue Kanavan
Michael Bourner and Anthony Groves
Prayer to Mary Our Lady of Walsingham
O Mary
Recall the solemn moment when Jesus, your divine son, dying on the cross, confided us to your maternal care
You are our mother and we desire ever to remain your devout children
Let us therefore feel the effects of your powerful intercession with Jesus Christ
Make your name again glorious in the shrine once renowned throughout our land by your visits, favours, and many miracles
Pray O holy mother of God for the conversion of England, restoration of the sick, consolation for the afflicted, repentance of sinners, peace to the departed
O blessed Mary mother of God, Our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us.
Amen
