First Time in Walsingham: Plenty of Sun, One Big Downpour and a Few Too Many Curtsies

At PHPS we think the best way to learn about what we do is to get involved in as many parts of the job as possible. So, when the chance came to join one of the most unique events we deliver each year, our new Project Development and Marketing Manager, Gary, packed far too many bags and set off for the Anglican Youth Pilgrimage in Walsingham.

Every summer the Norfolk village of Walsingham becomes home to the Anglican Youth Pilgrimage. It’s a week that brings together more than 300 young people and their leaders from across the UK. Groups travel from Blackburn, Wakefield, Liverpool, Leicester, Chichester, Manchester, London and many other places to share in worship, activities, pilgrimage walks and time together.

When we arrived on site the Wednesday before, it was just an open field. By the time the first coaches rolled in on Monday it had been transformed. The Big Top was ready for masses and activities, water and shower facilities were in place, catering points set up, lighting and sound installed, stewarding posts marked out and safe walkways laid. PHPS looked after site management, health and safety, infrastructure, technical support and led the stewarding team.

The weather was glorious all week – apart from the exact three hours when the campers arrived. Torrential rain and strong winds gave everyone a dramatic welcome, but once tents were up and people settled in, the skies cleared and the sunshine stayed with us for the rest of the event.

The welcome here is immediate and genuine. From the moment I stepped onto the site I was greeted with smiles, handshakes and offers of tea. The ministry team, first aid crew, water and shower team, and the “Big Strong Boys” site crew all made sure I knew where things were and how it all worked. Everyone, no matter their role, made you feel included and valued. That same warmth extended to the young people as they arrived, many of them meeting others from outside their area for the first time. The atmosphere made it easy for friendships to form quickly and for everyone to feel they belonged.

This was my first time at Walsingham and it didn’t take long to understand why people come back year after year. There’s a strong sense of purpose, but also a lot of fun. I even fell for the “you have to bow to the bishops” trick and spent far too long offering polite curtsies before the truth was finally (and unintentionally) revealed by an unsuspecting Father who thought I’d have worked it out days earlier.

For many of the young people this is their only trip away from home all year. It might be their first time camping, seeing the countryside or being part of something this big. Time spent at the Walsingham Shrine adds a peaceful and reflective element that balances the busy programme and gives everyone a chance to pause. For our team, events like this also open doors to new areas of culture, creativity, community and faith. They introduce us to different aspects of the job and the wider industry, bringing fresh perspectives and opportunities to learn – all of which help us support participants, clients and colleagues in ways that really matter.

Once the final service is over, the work isn’t finished. It takes another three or four days to pack everything away and return the site to a field again. It is hard graft, but the professionalism of everyone involved, the warm welcome, and the impact on those who attend make it a very special week indeed.