Cuthbert's Carlisle Connection

Cuthbert has been at me for the past three days to tell the surprising story of finding his hero and namesake in Carlisle.

I had a very vague idea that Cuthbert might have visited Carlisle at some time when he was a bishop but I hadn't found any leads. So when I was telling the taxi driver about my pilgrimage he said, "oh sure there is a St. Cuthbert's Church just behind your hotel and I think it's got some stained glass windows of Cuthbert's life. I'm pretty sure he visited a couple of times in the late 600s".

So, having verified the fact and ascertained that there was indeed a Holy Communion service at 10 am Cuthbert and I set off. I could barely keep him in the backpack when he spotted the banner with Cuthbert and the otters. Like my otter I felt a strong connection to this place that St. Cuthbert visited and left such a legacy. Apart from the stunning stained glass windows in St. Cuthbert's Church there were also artworks in the Carlisle Cathedral.

The verger, having seen me take Cuthbert up to the banner after Holy Communion, said quite judgementally, "well I guess you didn't come for the service." So I told her that yes I had definitely timed my visit so I could participate in the Holy Communion service, explaining that I was a communicant Anglican from Adelaide Australia. Suddenly she was up for giving me the grand tour and she wished me well on my pilgrimage.