This past weekend, Foot Trails Co-Founder David Howell completed a three-day hike from his local church to Salisbury Cathedral to raise funds for St Michael’s church in Melksham and the National Churches Trust.
Over three days, David hiked through beautiful countryside on ancient tracks over Salisbury Plain (the UK’s largest military training area) past long-forgotten mills, farms and grazing cattle. Stopping to rest at an ancient Saxon battlefield (where Alfred The Great defeated the Vikings in AD 878), 12th Century churches, neolithic long barrows and Iron Age settlements, it was a trail steeped in the history and stories of our ancient ancestors.
David’s route to Salisbury took him through the River Wylye and River Avon valleys, with the cathedral spire gleaming in the distance. On his way, David experienced a beautiful mix of countryside, villages, churches, cottages, castles and forts. With views stretching off for miles in every direction.
With it being the end of October, there was, of course, rain, wind, sunshine every day – true autumn weather but also with truly spectacular autumnal displays from the trees.
After having walked 43 miles in the three days, David reached the medieval grandeur of Salisbury. A short walk through the town gate to enter the Cathedral Close where the remarkable architecture of the cathedral revealed itself in all its glory, offering the perfect opportunity to pause and reflect on this beautiful journey.
The National Churches Trust and the Historic Churches Trust distribute grants and care for some of the most at risk churches. And David’s local church has its own building program which will also be supported.
You can make donations and support David’s hike via gofundme – https://gofund.me/6efa1ef7f
