A patchwork pilgrim coat that is on an ongoing walk through Britain is coming to East Cambridgeshire this weekend.

Made, worn and walked by 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 of Hopes is made up of pieces of blanket into which people have worked their griefs, remembrances, prayers and hopes for the place they call home.  

This weekend, the Coat of Hopes ends its pilgrimage for 2024 by coming to Wentworth and Ely where it will rest for the winter.

The coat pilgrims will be joining in worship at Ely Methodist Church on Sunday December 8 at 10.30am and will be staying around for coffee for an hour after worship from about 11.30am. 

Teresa and Robert Ely, of Ely Methodist Church Eco Group, said: "We would like invite anyone who would like to see the coat and meet the pilgrims either to worship or to coffee afterwards, or both."

This will be the last walk of 2024. The coat will rest in Ely until it is walked on from there to Norwich in February 2025.

The specific routes of this week's walk are:

  • Thursday December 5: Pondersbridge to Chatteris
  • Friday December 6: Chatteris to Wentworth
  • Saturday December 7: Wentworth to Ely

"As the work of the Coat of Hopes continues, we do have some running costs to cover, such as our website, costs relating to travel and display and upkeep of the coat," said a spokesperson.

"Nobody involved is working for anything, but out of love. If you felt able to contribute anything towards these costs it will enable the continuation of sharing the Coat of Hopes."

If you would like to join a walk with the coat, email yes@coatofhopes.uk

Visit www.coatofhopes.uk for more information.