Vikings stage pilgrimage from Neston to Chester

Aug 26 2010 Chester Chronicle

A GROUP of more than 20 walkers celebrated Chester’s Viking heritage by taking part in a 13-mile ‘mini-pilgrimage’ from Neston to St Olave’s Church in the city.

The event was held to commemorate St Olav, the former Viking who became patron saint of Norway.

Every year in July in Norway great numbers of pilgrims take part in the St Olav’s pilgrimage from Oslo to Trondheim, which can last over several weeks.

The English event attracted walkers from far away as Norway, including seasoned St Olav’s pilgrim Stein Thue, from Trondheim.

The walk was led by one of Norway’s four St Olav’s priests, the Rev Kjell Skarterseterhagen who, with the Rector of St Mary and St Helen’s church in Neston, gave the group a blessing.

This year’s event heralded the start of the Viking exhibition in Chester organised by Liz Royles, who is keeper of early history at the Grosvenor Museum.