From Rodden to Rode...
"Just to say we have completed the first leg of Peter's Progress from Rodden to Rode succesfully. Some 40 people gathered at Rudge to see him off, with some 30 walking for part of the way to Berkley. Hilary Daniel (Reader PTO Beckington Group) led us in prayers with David Wakefield (HT Frome) reading Mark 1. Rev Ward Jones (the Methodist District) gave the blessing.
"At Berkley a small group of parents and children together with the head teacher Carole Bautigam and another teacher greeted the Bishop with a streamer wishing him well on his 330 mile journey, with the bells of the church ringing in background. Eric Oakes (Ch Wrdn) took the Bishop to see the newly formed band of ringers in the narrow bell ringing chamber above the porch. The Bishop was surprised by the interior with it classical architecture and blue plaster dome with white stucco decorations.
"We managed to cross Church Farm before the large herd of 280 Friesians came in for milking. Despite having left Rodden at 1.10 and had a good 15 minutes stop over at Berkley we were at the Whiterow Farm Shop for a tea break. Some of the Frome HT walkers left us there but others from Beckington and Rudge joined us. The Bishop had a good chat with Steve Tucker the farmer who has started this very succesful farm shop.
"Over the next leg we met some of the pedigree British White cattle from Treetops Farm, and Nell Matheson got a photo shot. We peeped in through the windows at Rudge Methodst Chapel to see a well ordered interior where services are held twice a month. We ispected the roadside spring which was the local water supply until 1957.
"The final leg over the fields to Rode saw a little touch of rain but not enough to dampen us. We arrived in good shape at the Bell Inn by 5.30pm after 6 3/4 miles. Much enjoyed by all. Around 8 or 9 had walked the full distance. My guess is that over 40 people joined us walking part of the way from 2 upwards! The Bishop thanked us for joining him and we ended with a prayer. In all 40 people walked."
