Wednesday, 28 March 2012

Pendle Witch Walk Aims to Break Record

The Guinness World Records has endorsed an attempt to put a record number of witches on Pendle Hill, In Lancashire.

This charity event is planned to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the Pendle Witch Trials in August. Organisers hope to break a world record for the biggest  gathering of witches - or at least hill climbers willing to dress up as witches.

Pendle Witch Walk, taking place on 18 August 2012 – the anniversary of the infamous trials - has been approved by Guinness World Records as an official world record attempt. More than 2,000 attendees are expected to turn up in witch-themed fancy dress to help claim the record.

The event itself is a five-mile circular sponsored walk from the Lancashire village of Barley – at the centre of Lancashire Witch Country.

The walk will take in the summit of Pendle Hill – emblematic of both Lancashire and witchcraft, as well as being a site of reverence for both Pagans and Quakers.

Simon Tattersall, one of the organisers of the event, said: “It’s great news that Pendle Witch Walk has been recognised by Guinness World Records as a World Record attempt. Clearly, that means we need as many people as possible to visit the website (www.pendlepubwalk.co.uk) and register to join the festivities – then of course, attend the event in witch-style fancy dress.

“We’re hoping for a great event and a truly memorable day. The world record attempt for the greatest gathering of 'witches' will give everybody’s efforts an undisputable measure of achievement. It will bring huge attention to the Burnley and Pendle area and our tumultuous history, but more to the point we hope that via their sponsors, walkers will raise in excess of £50,000 for Pendleside Hospice.”

Pendle Witch Walk takes place on Saturday 18 August 2012. It is a five-mile circular walk from Barley taking in the summit of Pendle Hill. The aim of Pendle Witch Walk is to mark the 400th anniversary of the witch trials with a family oriented event that shows off the best of Pendle – its lovely countryside, magnificent hill and tumultuous history. Pendle Witch Walk also aims to be a major fundraiser for Pendleside Hospice. All monies raised from registration and sponsorship will go directly to Pendleside Hospice.

There are, of course, costs associated with an event of this nature (food, T-shirts, booklets, etc.), so walkers are being urged to get as much sponsorship as possible.

To find out more, and to register for the walk, visit www.pendlewitchwalk.co.uk

The photo shows Pendle Hill. It is one of the photos on the Pendle Pub Walk Facebook page and is used here with permission.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.pendlepubwalk.co.uk
http://www.pendleside.org.uk/
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=379500&y=441500&z=120&sv=Pendle+Hill&st=3&tl=Map+of+Pendle+Hill,+Lancashire+[Hill/Mountain]&searchp=ids.srf&mapp=map.srf
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-17385768
http://www.guardian.co.uk/visit-england/bewitching-countryside-lancashire?newsfeed=true
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/12/news-pendle-witchs-cottage-discovered.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/08/news-kids-excavate-pendle-witch-site.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/07/history-of-pendle-witches-their-magic.html

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