Pilgrims on their way to York stay in Dewsbury

The group from St Mary’s Church in Todmorden, is walking in the footsteps of St Paulinus, who visited Dewsbury in the seventh century.

On Sunday, 35 pilgrims left Todmorden, including 13 who will walk all the way to York Minster by this Sunday for a service with the Archbishop of York. The core group 13 have been joined by many pilgrims along parts of the route, which takes in Halifax, Dewsbury, Wakefield and Leeds.

They have been staying in churches overnight, and arrived at Dewsbury Minster at tea time on Tuesday.

Organiser Tina Clayton spent three years researching the route taken by St Paulinus.

She said: “What has been amazing has been the incredible hospitality we have received across the route, perhaps even more so in Dewsbury.

“It has been a privilege to stay here and we are sure it’s an occasion we are never going to forget.”

Canon the Rev Kevin Partington from the Minster said: “It was a privilege to offer hospitality to pilgrims because that’s what the Minster is all about.”