A RELIGIOUS pilgrimage recreating a march which saw the creation of Fountains’ Abbey drew in almost 2,000 walkers.
A total of 1,790 walkers took part in the annual Boxing Day pilgrimage leading from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains’ Abbey, North Yorkshire.
They braved sub-zero temperatures to carry out the walk in the winter countryside with nearly 700 more taken part this year than in 2009.
The four mile route crosses fields and passes through woods and landscaped water gardens to reach its destination.
It follows in the footsteps of a group of 12th century Cistercian monks who left Ripon Cathedral on December 26 1132 to found Fountains Abbey.
They enjoyed a short holy communion service at the cathedral they left following the River Skell out of the city.
As the group passed through the Studley Royal Deer Park the initial 500 was joined by hundreds more walkers.
The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Right Reverend John Packer, and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend Keith Jukes, led the walk.
The one and a half hour walk concluded with a short service of carols and prayers led by Bishop Packer in the Cellarium of Fountains Abbey.
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