Page 8 - HGS Suburb News 142 - Spring 2020

Pilgrimage or just a very long walk? Fireworks feedback

challenge, looking for a change The lead article in the Winter had to be postponed and in
in direction, or taking time off Issue of Suburb News certainly light of this, the RA Executive
from a no longer satisfactory job caused a few sparks to fly! Thank Committee members decided
and there was indeed an element you for your many emails both during a ‘Zoom’ virtual meeting,
of ‘finding oneself’ coupled with for and against putting a stop to the fireworks would continue
‘new age’ preoccupations. And, the annual New Year’s Eve fire- for this New Year’s Eve. Emma
of course, there were many real works celebrations – we have said: “Whilst the RA is definitely
pilgrims walking the Camino out reprinted two of them to in favour of looking at greener
of a sense of religious conviction. represent both sides. options, we felt that once we
The frequent pilgrim masses held The Chair of the Residents get through Covid-19 and with
along the route attested to this. Association, Emma Howard, was all other Suburb events cancelled
A few people stood out for proposing to seek views of RA for the duration, it was important
me. A German middle-aged members at the 30 March AGM that there should be something
woman, who had had a serious so the RA Council could take really celebratory to mark the start
heart operation three years ago these views into account in of 2021. However, undoubtedly
and who, afterwards, couldn’t forming a decision on what to there is concern about the noise
move any of her limbs unaided, do in future regarding the caused by fireworks and this
completed the route pulling a annual New Year’s Eve firework year we will make arrangements
cart on wheels containing her display. This event is loved by with the pyrotechnic firm we
luggage and using a harness many but there are clearly also use to include many more low
Liz Inman (second from left), pausing for a rest with fellow travellers. made by the British military. An those who are opposed to it. noise fireworks as part of the
I’ve been wanting to walk the someone in front of or behind Arcos or Navarete with their Irish woman in her 70s, a legend Unfortunately, Covid 19 display. We can then review the
Camino de Santiago de Compostela you, which is reassuring. The baroque or medieval altar pieces on the Camino, and who regularly measures meant that the AGM matter next year.”
pilgrimage for many years. This number of solo women walkers to the real cathedrals in Burgos, walks 40 kms a day. She is
year, my 70th, I decided to do it. is on the increase and it did feel Leon, Astorga or Santiago. All reported to have been refused Dear Suburb News I have just read the article in the publication. I have
I’d been gradually building up very safe. the styles were represented: her certificate in Santiago lived in the Suburb for 40 years this year and have never been to see the
New Year display. Personally I have no interest in fireworks. I do not have
my long-distance walking strength I started out intending to romanesque, gothic, plateresque, because the officials didn’t enough information about the effects of fireworks, but I know that many
and felt it was now or never. I have my baggage carried for me renaissance and baroque. There believe she had done 40 kms in
booked a flight and the first as I didn’t think I could manage were treasure houses of religious one day. So she went back 100 pets are completely terrified. Environmentally I am certain that there
three nights’ accommodation. I my 6kg backpack. However, after art and artefacts everywhere, and kms and redid the stretch must be a price to pay. The display on the Thames is huge and people
enjoying this can watch it live on television. I have always been a
was going on my own and the first seven days I found I even the most modest looking getting a stamp for every 20 member of the RA but see this event as a waste of subscriptions. I feel
wanted to play most of it by ear. could carry it. I also started out little village had a chapel that kms and was shamefacedly given
The Camino Francés, or French in hotel/pension accommodation might hold a surprise. her certificate. Another German there must be better ways to spend this money rather than just burning
Way, is a more than 1000 year thinking I was too old for the In the end, however, it was the woman of nearly 80 who has it with bright colours, noise and disruption. I understand that young
children might get pleasure from this, but as you have asked, I am not in
old pilgrimage to the shrine of dormitories in the ‘albergues’ people who were the highlight of done the Camino 17 times and favour. As I said earlier, there must be better things to spend this event
the apostle St James the Great. (hostels). But, about half way the trip. You are never alone on knows every church, albergue
It has become increasingly through, I was staying in albergues the Camino unless you choose to and deviation and is full of money on. Peter
popular in the last 20 years, and sleeping just as well (or be. But no one is intrusive – the useful advice. She zipped ahead As a resident of the Suburb I feel that the fireworks displays are a fantastic
having been declared a UNESCO badly) as I would do in a private convention seems to be: respect of the rest of us with her pack. A opportunity for all to enjoy themselves, old and young (and those in
cultural heritage site. More than room. Not only did I save a vast other pilgrims’ privacy and choices, young Belgian who has been on between) alike. They unify our community and have been a source of joy
300,000 ‘pilgrims’ complete the amount of money but, more but be friendly and approachable. the Camino from Brussels for for generations. Why deprive our children of something we enjoyed so
route each year. importantly, I was doing it the The greeting ‘Buen Camino’ rang four months with no money, much? While not all traditions are appropriate these days, let us not be
I walked the 500 miles from ‘pilgrims’ way and so met many out all the time: often from locals earning what he needed by too quick to discard that which has served us well. We must not become
St Jean-Pied-de-Port in the northern more people and was completely who would gently point an erring making and selling bracelets. so precious as to become fragile. Let the fireworks go on! Simon
foothills of the Pyrenees to flexible. I loved the feeling of pilgrim in the right direction. When I asked why he hadn’t
Santiago in 33 days, which was setting off in the morning and People were exceptionally kind replaced his worn out shoes he
considerably less than I’d not knowing where I’d end up and helpful and when you said “these have had so many
anticipated – the route itself is in the evening. consider how many thousands experiences I don’t want to part
not difficult. I was able to do There are many tedious pour through the small villages from them.” An American woman
extensive sightseeing in Burgos, stretches alongside major roads in summer, it’s amazing how and a French woman both in
Leon and Santiago itself. It was and motorways; routes into and warm the greetings are, especially their early 60s who were refusing
in no way a rush. I deliberately out of cities seemed especially from the remaining elderly to follow their husbands into
avoided putting pressure on unending. The landscape and inhabitants. I was able to use my pipe and slipper mode upon
myself by not booking a home- architecture, however, are varied: French and German which greatly retirement were not looking
ward flight until a few days from the Pyrenees to the rolling enhanced the encounters. I also forward to going home after this
before I needed it. I also did not wooded hills of Navarre with speak a little Spanish, but as new and liberating experience. I
book any accommodation more limestone villages; the extensive elsewhere in the world English heard of others who live their
than a day or so ahead. I’d chosen vineyards in Rioja; the endless is the lingua franca. lives on the Camino, rarely going
the tail end of the season wheat fields on the high central Pilgrims have the same home. And the number who Garden Suburb Community Library News The library sadly had to close at the
(October) and, although there plain of Northern Spain, with general goal and this is a great come back time and time again beginning of the crisis but has been active in trying to keep in touch with its users –
we now have an online Sing Song time for its youngsters, the Book Club is looking to
were plenty of people around, it wonderful yellow adobe villages; unifying factor, but everyone has to do this or other pilgrimage meet online and once the strict lock-down measures are eased we have a book
was not overly busy. I always the dark granite villages in their own story and motivation. routes to Santiago is high. collection scheme ready to launch. Keep in touch with all of the above at the library
found somewhere to stay even Galicia, which reminded me of As they say ‘everyone walks their So, a pilgrimage or a very website: http://gardensuburblibrary.org.uk/gscl/
if I just turned up. The way is central Wales. own Camino’. I met a huge long walk? The latter I think in
exceptionally well signposted, The religious architecture variety of people of all ages and my case but again, very much
the tracks are wide and and art were truly spectacular. nationalities: Europeans, North more than just a long walk. It
unmissable, for the most part, From the cathedral-like churches and South Americans, Koreans, was the total experience that
and there is almost always soaring up in villages like Los Chinese, Japanese. I met people was so captivating.
recovering from cancer or LIZ INMAN
bereavement, people fighting
Hall and Randall Plumbers old age, or trying to reset their Liz Inman has lived on the Suburb
lives at the beginning of for eight years; she been involved
retirement; these were mostly in various suburb activities: U3A,
Plumbing and Heating Services • Property Maintenance people in their 50 and 60s or Suburb library, Proms at St Judes,
even 70s. Younger people were Trust Estates Committee, and the
variously treating it as a physical Tree survey of the Suburb.

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