A BISHOP will follow in the footsteps of a group of 12th Century monks on Boxing Day by setting off on a pilgrimage.
The annual four-mile walk from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey will be led by the Bishop of Knaresborough, who will be joined by the new Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Dobson.
Bishop James Bell, the Area Bishop for the Ripon Episcopal Area in the new diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales, took on the role from the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Right Reverend John Packer, who had led 14 previous pilgrimages, which often attract more than a thousand walkers.
It will set out at 10.15am, following a short service in the cathedral and will follow the River Skell out of the city.
As the pilgrimage, which was first made by Cistercian monks on December 26, 1132, reaches the Studley Royal deer park and the entrance of Fountains Abbey, less mobile pilgrims are expected to swell the numbers, and walkers will be offered mulled wine.
Bishop James said: "From remembering Stephen, the first witness to give his life for faith in Christ, through to remembering the faith of those who founded Fountains, this is a great journey to make."
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