<<Sunday Market shoppers, Baltic gallery visitors and regular worshippers at the Gurdwara and Newcastle Cathedral all shared a memorable return visit by the Coat of Hopes. Climate Action Newcastle supporters helped host a day of climate chats. Our Gallery has a taster of the highlights. If you’d like to walk with the Coat in future, there’s contact details below.>>
Where better to welcome the Coat of Hopes than the Baltic Contemporary Art Gallery’s Front Room – home to the weekly Sewing Bees group!
After many new friends experienced the warmth and hopes of the Coat, it was time to set off from Gateshead to Newcastle.
The river was crossed via the world-famous Millennium Bridge.
More passers-by shared their hopes and concerns, as they joined the Coat of Hopes experience in this lovely spot.
The pilgrimage group then stepped into Newcastle, to walk by more bridges linking historic architecture – ancient and modern – on both sides of the Tyne.
The route passed local shoppers at the Quayside Market and central Newcastle, heading to Arthur's Hill
Jaswinder Singh hosted a visit to the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha. Sarah and the group attended the Sunday service, walking in parade so that the Coat could be seen in its full glory. Sarah spoke about the history of the Coat's walk to COP26 in Glasgow and how it has become larger with many more hand-stitched messages donated since. Jaswinder spoke of the importance of being aware of the steps we choose to take, and the implications of the decisions we take for our footprint on the earth.
Climate awareness was displayed by children who wrote and drew in Climate Action Newcastle’s messaging area at the Gurdwara.
Hundreds of local people regularly attend the Sunday service and share a community lunch – which the coat walking group were invited (and delighted!) to share.
The final event of the visit was to share Evensong at Newcastle’s Anglican Cathedral.
There was again an invitation to speak about the meaning of the Coat of Hopes to those who shared its journey. The Revd Canon Peter Dobson responded, and spoke about the importance of “nurturing our home for generations to come”. The group were thanked for raising awareness of the crisis that is faced by people around the world.
The cathedral acoustics made the departure song especially resonant. As dusk fell, a few more people enjoyed the experience of wearing the Coat, before the group struck out to cross the Tyne.
The next morning saw the Coat of Hopes walk south past the Angel of the North towards Durham, on a route that will reach York by Easter.
***Thank you to Iain Kitt and Jennifer Wat for gathering video and stills, and all CAN volunteers for support
***Would you like to walk with the Coat of Hopes?
And so, the Coat must walk on and on. All are invited to walk with it as the pilgrimage continues... if you might be willing walk with the Coat please get in touch – yes@coatofhopes.uk
***More information: https://www.coatofhopes.uk/
“Ask me where I'm going, Ask me what is my purpose"
The Coat of Hopes is a patchwork pilgrim coat, on an ongoing walk through Britain.
Made, worn and walked by many hundreds of people during and since the pilgrimage on which it was created - from the south coast of England to the gates of COP 26, the UN climate summit, in Glasgow autumn 2021.
The Coat is made up of pieces of blanket into which people have worked their griefs, remembrances, prayers and hopes for the place they call home.
The February 2024 visit was arranged by popular demand, following its autumn 2023 stay.
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