The Pilgrimage Begins!
14 April 2023
“When in April the sweet showers fall and pierce the drought of March to the root, and all the veins are bathed in liquor of such power as brings about the engendering of the flower… then people long to go on pilgrimages…”
Early in the morning of 14 April, the Master, Clerk and Beadle, along with members of the Shepherd Neame Brewery team, set off on the Master’s Sponsored Pilgrimage to Canterbury. An early start was needed to give the team plenty of time to cover the 60 miles that they plan to walk over two days, finishing in Canterbury with a visit to the Cathedral on Sunday morning.
The Master’s Pilgrimage celebrates the connection between the Brewers’ Company and it’s Patron Saint: Thomas Beckett, dating back to the Company’s origins in medieval times when pilgrims would make their way from London to Beckett’s shrine in Canterbury, drinking many gallons of ale along the way and earning the undying gratitude of the Brewers.
The team are walking to raise money for the Brewers’ Company General Charitable Trust which awards bursaries and grants to support a wide range of charitable initiatives such as Pub is the Hub, No Going Back (helping those leaving prison), the National Brewery Heritage Trust, the Royal British Legion, various military / veteran’s charities, and charities supporting the homeless, amongst others.
You can support the Pilgrims with a pledge – all donations, large and small, will be gratefully received! Members can visit https://members.brewershall.co.uk/donations to donate and non-members can give at https://donate.stripe.com/7sI7ukawJ0s93vi6oo.
