Leeds nostalgia: Annual pilgrimage led by Vicar of Leeds in 2000

He took part in the annual Pilgrimage to Fountains Abbey.The December 26t walk dates back hundreds of years. Parts of Ripon Cathedral date from the 7th century, and Fountains Abbey was founded in 1132.

The picture caption reads: “Ten years ago footpaths which had been closed due to foot and mouth disease re-opened, allowing the pilgrimage to take its traditional four-mile route.

Nearly two thousand walkers followed in the footsteps of a group of 12th century Cistercian monks who set off from Ripon Cathedral on December 26, 1132, to found Fountains Abbey.

The route passes through beautiful parkland and countryside following the River Skell out of the city of Ripon, through the Studley Royal Deer Park and on to the World Heritage site of Fountains Abbey. Churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike, from throughout the region join the pilgrimage.

The one-and-a-half hour walk concludes with a short service of carols and prayers in the Fountains Abbey ruins. and that year it was led by the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Revd John Packer.

Ripon Cathedral still has its original 7th century Anglo-Saxon crypt.

The building we see today stands on the site of a former church. Ripon was instrumental in helping the spread and influence of Christianity in Britain.

The second picture (bottom) shows ‘Fountains Abbey in the Olden Time’ and dates from a sketch by John Richard in 1841.

The abbey had one of the largest abbot’s houses in the country - originally dating from the 12 century, it was vastly expanded over the years.