Peace Pilgrimage Podcast

On Saturday 31st January a group of pilgrims walked from Birmingham City Centre to the NEC, in witness against the Special Defence and Security Convention (SDSC) arms fair. We follow their pilgrimage and hear their reflections. Find out more at: https://www.stop-sdsc.uk/home Poem: Lorna Foster Edit: Joe Holtaway Music ‘Anywhere I Am’ by Wonderousound https://wondrousound.com/ 'Listen To Women’...

An interview with Symon Hill Symon is one of the Free-Church chaplains at Aston University, and a passionate advocate against the arms trade and militarism.

Day 7: Kilburn to the Arms Fair: The pilgrims set off from St Luke’s in Kilburn and step into the busy streets of London. Passing through Hyde Park and on to Trafalgar Square, their banner draws attention from many, and day walkers join to swell the journey eastward. Along the way, Pete and Sam reflect on a city filled with symbols — of money, power, and authority — and how these intertwine with t...

Day Six: Harrow to Kilburn The pilgrims set out from Trinity Church in Harrow and make their way 11 miles through the heat of the city toward St Luke’s Church in Kilburn. It’s a long day on the road, but rich in memories, reflection, and shared witness. Sandy recalls her life in London before 1989, as the walk takes her close to her old neighbourhood and home. Kath, a seasoned Peace Walker from Sc...

After a day of rest, the pilgrims set out once again from the Catholic Worker Farm, preparing for the path into London. Matthew opens the episode by reflecting on the women and children supported by the farm, many of whom have faced the challenges of the asylum system, and on what it means to consider our own privileges by stepping into another’s shoes. The morning begins with prayers from Scott o...

Day Four: Rest Day at the Catholic Worker Farm After three days on the road, the pilgrims take a pause at the Catholic Worker Farm in Rickmansworth — a chance to rest their legs, lend a hand on the farm, and reflect together. Matthew speaks with Scott, who founded the farm 19 years ago. He shares how it has become a place of welcome and support for homeless women and children, and tells the story...

Day Three: High Wycombe to Rickmansworth. Day three of the pilgrimage began in the rain, but spirits remained high as the walkers made their way toward Rickmansworth. At Jordans Meeting House they received hospitality and a tour, a chance to pause and connect with Quaker history along the road. In this episode, Rachel shares a poem by A.S.J. Tessimond's, Daydream, reflecting on the world we want t...

Day Two: Watlington to High Wycombe The second day of the pilgrimage began with breakfast at the church in Watlington, thanks to the hospitality of Father Andrew, before the walkers set out on the road toward High Wycombe. Sunshine and showers marked the day, but so too did rich conversation. In this episode, Matthew speaks at length with Ralph, who shares his journey of faith — from atheism to Qu...

Day One: Oxford to Watlington Our pilgrims set off early from Oxford Meeting House on the first stage of the journey to Watlington. Along the way Matthew chats with fellow walkers about the experiences shaping the day. Among the voices in this episode are Peter, who shares family connections to war; Lorna, reflecting on the moving morning silence with the banner; Rachel, a Methodist minister on sa...

For over four decades, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has been at the forefront of efforts to expose and challenge the UK’s role in the global arms trade. In this episode, we sit down with Kirsten Bayes, CAAT’s Campaigns and outreach Coordinator, to explore their journey into activism and their work coordinating campaigns that call out the powerful interests driving weapons sales. Kirsten shar...

In this episode of the Peace Pilgrimage Podcast, we hear a conversation between us, the Student Christian Movement (SCM) and Sabeel-Kairos, a campaigning Christian charity that works for human rights, justice and equality for Palestinians in partnership/solidarity with the Christian community in the Holy Land.

Recorded on Tuesday 12th September 2023, the opening day of the DSEI Arms Fair 2023. We speak to Kirsten from CAAT, Katrina of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, and many other friends.

Originally published on 29th August 2023. Sam Donaldson talks to Satish Kumar, about Peace and Pilgrimage, and his vision for life together on earth.

David Mann is a Baptist pastor, based in East Ham, London. David talks to Matthew about his work and the history of resistance to the Arms Trade in east London.

Recorded on 18th June 2025 In recent weeks the UK government has announced a steep increase in military spending taking some of the money from the international aid budget, we discuss the implications of this decision from a Christian perspective. Hosted by Sr. Katrina Alton with Joanna Frew, Aisling Griffin and Matthew Neville. Katrina Alton is a Sister of St Joseph of Peace, a Catholic religious...

We've teamed up with our friends at SCM, Just Money and FaithJustice; for an episode focused on the Arms Trade and ethical finances. SCM Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5K5WY43VsMDucQPJftwZVA?si=2321d87e15e2402a FaithJustice Bible Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2fPjY1J589sm7TfL9Nwm6v?si=a7cbd31753c84091

Matthew briefly tells us about the upcoming Peace Pilgrimage from Oxford to London 1-8 September https://peacepilgrimage.org.uk/

Today we're at the gates of the DSEI arms fair. We speak to Kirsten from CAAT, and Katrina of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.

It's day 6 on the road. We're walking from Parliament Square to the Excel Centre. Along the way we stopped at the UK HQ of four arms dealers, on the pod you will hear our stop outside Leonardo.

Walking from Wembley to Westminster. And an interview with Jo Frew, about the No Faith in War day, and Rethinking Security.

Today we walked from the Catholic Worker Farm to Wembley. Our podcast includes an interview with Jim on his visits to Palestine, and Jaqueline, about her childhood in Uganda and work in Wembley. Finishing with our night sharing and reflection.

Today we're not walking, spending a rest day at the Catholic Worker Farm. We speak to Scott Albrecht, about the farm, his journey towards setting up the project, and his life in activism.

Day 3: High Wycombe to the Catholic Worker Farm. On our way stopping in the historic Quaker village of Jordans. Today's podcast includes an interview with Symon Hill, of the Peace Pledge Union.

First day of walking, Oxford to Watlington We welcome Melanie from Christian Climate Action to discuss the relationship between climate action and peace activism. Alongside updates on the walk, and our end of day reflections.

The Peace Pilgrimage has gathered in Oxford Quaker Meeting House, ready to start walking tomorrow. Matthew, Sam, Adam, Dennis and Mark discuss how they are feeling, their hopes, fears and motivations for the week.