The Brewers' Tale

The Master and his team completed his Sponsored Pilgrimage to raise funds for the Brewers’ Company General Charitable Trust on 14-15 April.

The 60 mile route along the Pilgrims Way in Kent, ending at Canterbury Cathedral was beautiful, but not without its challenges. The team started off well on Friday, covering 37 miles in the cool, drizzly weather. Non-stop rain overnight on Friday turned many of the paths into muddy quagmires on the Saturday and, with some of the team nursing blisters from the previous day’s walking, it was a much more difficult day, even though they had less ground to cover. Luckily the Pilgrims were able to fortify themselves with a pint of good ale when they stopped at a roadside inn for lunch – much as their medieval predecessors would have done! Their bodies flagging, but their spirits still high, they slogged on throughout the afternoon, spurred on by their first sight of the Cathedral as they topped one of the many hills along the way.   Reaching the Cathedral in the late afternoon sunshine, the team were able celebrate and enjoy a well-deserved rest!

On Sunday morning the Master received his specially commissioned stained glass window, celebrating the connection between the Brewers’ Company and its patron saint Tomas Beckett, on the very spot where Beckett’s martyrdom occurred. The window will be unveiled by the Master at the Court Luncheon at Brewers’ Hall on 27 April.

We have been overwhelmed by the support shown for the Pilgrimage by both members and non-members. Donations are still being gratefully received. If you would like to pledge, Members can visit https://members.brewershall.co.uk/donations to donate and non-members can give at https://donate.stripe.com/7sI7ukawJ0s93vi6oo. Please contact Kate Longhurst with questions at [email protected].