A pilgrimage for justice in North Yorkshire

As pilgrims from across the Darlington District, we gathered for prayer at the beginning of our day’s pilgrimage at Stockton Baptist Church, close by to the River Tees. This would be the fourth and final day of our Pilgrimage for Justice. The day’s theme was ‘Peace’, for without peace there can be no justice, and without justice, there can never be peace. We were reminded of the words of the Prophet Amos:

Our journey would take us along a four-mile section of the Eight Bridges Way, and during the day’s walk, we would cross three of those bridges. During his pontificate, the late Pope Francis urged the Church and the world to build bridges rather than walls. The route provided many opportunities for conversation and meditation upon peace and what makes for peace.

Having set off downstream from the church along the northern bank, the first of the three bridges we were to cross came into view. The Infinity Bridge opened in 2009, to pedestrians and cyclists. The reason for its naming was not immediately apparent, until we had crossed to the far bank and looked back at the bridge from a distance, from where we could see the bridge’s double arch reflected in the river formed the mathematical symbol for infinity. A wonderful reminder of the infinite nature of God’s love and grace, gifted to us by Jesus that invites us to stand against war and violence.

The path followed the river to the Tees Barrage, an innovative piece of engineering designed to prevent flooding and protect the river from pollution. This remarkable project has involved the regeneration of the surrounding green space including the creation of nature reserves and a water-sports facility. We gave thanks to those whose vision had brought about such a wonderful example of making peace with the natural world.

Our pilgrimage along the river continued to the Tees Newport Bridge where we crossed from Stockton-on-Tees to Middlesbrough. The bridge is a formidable steel structure built in the 1930s. Although the central span no longer lifts to allow large ships to pass along the river, it stands as an impressive testament to those who worked in the steel industry and whose story is so much part of the history of Teesside.

We continued along the southern bank, stopping for lunch amidst the spectacular steel dinosaurs of Teesaurus Park, much beloved by young and old alike! Afterwards, we followed the path through a technology park where companies associated with the rapidly growing aerospace sector have established themselves.

The path took us by the ruins of the old salt works that predated steel making in Middlesbrough, before passing the world-famous Transporter Bridge – presently not operating and awaiting a much hoped-for restoration. Our journey’s end was in sight! The Riverside Stadium – the home of Middlesbrough Football Club, but before reaching it we passed beneath a beautiful and thought-provoking sculpture by Anish Kapoor. The massive artwork, constructed of steel is a tribute to the history of steel making on Teesside. Two giant rings holding a tube of steel mesh in tension. As pilgrims, we were particularly struck by its name; ‘Temenos’ deriving from Ancient Greek, meaning land set aside for a sanctuary or other holy place.

This had been a day in which we had crossed and seen many bridges and marvelled at the technological wizardry of those who had designed and constructed them. The challenge that I was left with was the realisation that, as a pilgrim, I am not simply called to cross bridges, but to build them too!