Spanish pilgrimage stick at Saltburn for Cafod Walkers

A walking stick and seashell symbol from the famous Spanish pilgrimage trail to Santiago de Compostela was presented to five North-east walkers, who were undertaking a more modest pilgrimage from Osmotherley to Whitby via Middlesbrough.

Walker Shirley Goacher, of Bridlington, holds a "Compostela" walking stick from Spain, before she and others set off from Our Lady of Lourdes church, Saltburn, for a trek from Saltburn to Runswick Bay. They were publicising the Catholic overseas aid charity Cafod. Spanish-born Monsignor Ricardo Morgan, parish priest, who gave the stick to the group, is at rear in front of the church grotto.

The stick has a compass in the handle. It will be used by one of the group, Mrs Shirley Goacher, of Bridlington, when she walks the 500-mile Compostela trail next year.

The walkers were publicising the Catholic overseas aid charity Cafod. They stayed with local families for each of the six nights of their mini pilgrimage in the North-east.

Highlights included having their feet washed by members of different churches at Hutton Rudby and being soaked by a sudden rain squall on Saltburn beach.

The trek, which was led by David Cross, of Ingleby Barwick, who is Cafod's northern regional manager, ended with an outdoor Mass at Whitby abbey last Saturday (July 2) celebrated by Canon John Lumley, of St Augustine's, Redcar.