Pilgrimage to Aylesford (via Otford) 1972-1996.

Old Boy Peter Roberts has sent in the following article about the praiseworthy undertaking of 6^th formers and others of the School and masters to go in pilgrimage to Aylesford, bearing the cross which is kept in the Chapel on the wall beside the organ.  Peter writes:- ‘The Aylesford Pilgrimage was started in 1972 by Fr Roger Nesbitt and boys from the John Fisher school sixth form.  It was to be done every year on Palm Sunday weekend over two days.  

Unfortunately the reasons for starting the Pilgrimage have been lost in the mists of time, but what is known is that the intention was to start from the John Fisher school and follow part of the Pilgrims way (to Canterbury ) and finish at the shrine of Our Lady at Aylesford.

Fr Nesbitt, Dan Cooper and boys from the sixth form plotted the original route and Otford was designated as the overnight stop.

Fr Nesbitt left the John Fisher School in 1981 and the baton passed to Dan Cooper to lead the pilgrimage to Aylesford.

I first took part on the Pilgrimage in 1982 (at the tender age of 18) and accompanied Dan Cooper and many boys from the school (4^th to 6^th Form) on the walk.

The path that we took led down to Purley Oaks and then across Riddlesdown to Warlingham, where we took some welcome rest at St Ambrose Church.  Once tea and other refreshments had been consumed we headed down the Limpsfield Road for Botley Hill, where we took the turning into Clarks Lane and finally on to the Pilgrims way.  Eventually we arrived at Otford where we slept in the Church hall.

Sunday Morning we got up early ready for Mass.   After Mass we would head out of Otford for Wrotham through some amazing countryside.  Once at Wrotham we stopped for lunch before the long walk along “A” roads to Aylesford.

Once at Aylesford priory we would break for tea, before Benediction and the long ride in the John Fisher mini bus back to the school.

For many years after this, I occasionally came on the pilgrimage and on one year assisted Simon Blakesly to complete the route due to Dan Cooper having a bout of the flu.

Dan Cooper continued the pilgrimage for many years with steadfast determination, however he was finding it harder each year.

In 1966 the Pilgrimage was split between two groups: Old boys on the first day and two six formers and Dan Cooper completing the second.

In 1977 due to lack of sixth formers the Pilgrimage stopped.

In 1998 myself and others who had come on the 1996 pilgrimage decided to make sure the first half of the Pilgrimage to Otford continued.  Due to the wear and tear of just one day’s walking and the need to work on the Monday we decided that 20 – 25 miles with a seven foot cross was a decent amount of penance, for a bunch of ageing young men.

So this is what we have continued since, with only a break in 2002 due to Foot and Mouth (as most of our route was closed off).

A small band completed the walk this year.  Extra men of courage and tough feet will be very welcome to support the walk in 2006.  Please let Neil Ockenden know if you would like to join us.  His telephone number is 020 8660 4989.