Rosemary Jewers, 76, to set off on Peddars Way trek through East Anglia to follow up family story and support church hit by lead theft

A 76-year-old woman will set off on a 90-mile trek of East Anglia today to connect with a family story and support a church targeted by lead thieves.

Rosemary Jewers will be tracing the Peddars Way over seven days, starting in Colchester, along sections of the route in Suffolk – including Stoke By Nayland, Hadleigh Heath and Woolpit – before reaching Holme-next-the-Sea in Norfolk next week.

Rosemary and her walking companion Rina Adams will set off from Balkerne Gate this morning in a bid to trace the Peddars Way, an ancient Roman route starting in Suffolk – which her research indicates actually ran from Colchester.

She said: "I’ve been keen to follow up a story handed down through some four generations of my family, that Peddars Way ran between Colchester and the Norfolk coast."

Rosemary, who was born and raised in Little Massingham, near King's Lynn, which she is set to pass through during her walk, said the family story "really resonated" with her.

While undertaking the 90-mile walk, she is hoping to fundraise for St Andrew's Church in Little Massingham to help towards the costs of restoring the church roof after the lead was stolen.

As a patron of the church, Rosemary said the lead theft was "devastating news" for the parishioners and she "really wanted" to help the small community raise the £150,000 needed for the refurbishment.

Until about a year ago, the 76-year-old was unable to walk a mile, but, over the last few months, and following a strict training regime, she can now manage much more – on some days of the trek, she will be walking more than 13 miles.

Rosemary and Rina were due to start their trek in April but the coronavirus pandemic meant they had to postpone their fundraising challenge.

The pair said anyone who wishes to join them as they walk along sections of the route in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk is welcome to do so.

They are set to be joined by High Steward of Colchester, Sir Bob Russell, for the trek to the Suffolk border.

Rosemary said: "I really appreciate Sir Bob offering us his support and we hope it will be an inspiration to others to join us along the route."

Their fundraising target is £5,000, and, at the time of writing, they have gathered £734 for the church's restorations.

She has been keeping a blog , which will have more information about when and where they will be on particular days, and which includes details of Rosemary's research into the Peddars Way.

To support her fundraising, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rosemary-peddars-walk .

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