Walkspace Newsletter - the Spaghetti Pilgramage
Hello walking enthusiast!
In this edition we have some information about our next Erratic - a pilgrimage to Spaghetti Junction, and two walk reports from last month’s boulder hunts.
Spaghetti Pilgrimage
We’re delighted to say that for this month’s Erratic we’ll be teaming up with Flatpack Festival for a pilgrimage to Spaghetti Junction to celebrate its 50th birthday. That hallowed day in 1972 when environment minister Peter Walker cut the ribbon was a defining moment for Birmingham’s motor city ambitions. Since then it’s fair to say that the junction has been on a bit of a journey, but whether you love it or hate it this is surely a moment worth marking. Join us on Sunday 22nd May to pay tribute to this Brummie landmark. No need to book. Read on for details.
In its time Spaghetti Junction has been mythologised as both a cathedral to the car gods and as a gateway to hell. It’s evidently a place of great significance for the city, for better and for worse, but perhaps its main resonance is as a place of confluence. Gravelly Hill is the meeting point of two motorways, several trunk roads, three canals, two rivers and a brook. It’s been a site of crossings and convergences for centuries and it was once the source of Birmingham’s drinking water.
Throughout history and across cultures, river confluences and sources have been revered as sacred sites and pilgrimage destinations. Temples have been built over them, sacred rites performed and ritual bathing observed. At 50 years of age, it seems right that Birmingham’s own super-confluence receives pilgrimage status. Pilgrimage sites are understood as places where miracles happen - what sort of miracles might a place like Spaghetti Junction produce?
Our pilgrimage will begin in Victoria Square at 11am, Sunday 22nd May. Meet outside the entrance to the Council House. The walk from town is about 3.5 miles and will take around 2 hours. There are frequent buses and trains back to the city centre. The terrain is mostly pavement and towpath with some uneven and sloping sections, cobbles and narrow tunnels. Those who wish to pay homage but don’t fancy the walk can join us at Salford canal junction at 12:45pm. Those who wish to picnic on the shores of Aston Reservoir should feel free to bring a packed lunch. More info here: http://walkspace.uk/2022/05/spaghetti-pilgrimage/
Walk Reports
We relaunched our series of monthly public walks, The Erratics last month with The Wandering Rocks, lead by Andy and Robson. We visited some of the glacial erratic boulders which travelled here in the ice age and from which we took the name. The weather was kind and it was great to be out exploring the city with fellow wanderers, both human and mineral, again. Thanks to all who came. You can read the walk report here: http://walkspace.uk/2022/05/walk-report-the-wandering-rocks/
Two of our members …kruse and Kate Green opted for a more rural expedition and so arranged their own parallel erratic boulder walk at Hergest Ridge on the Wales/Herefordshire border. …kruse reports here: http://walkspace.uk/2022/05/walk-report-hergest-ridge-erratic/
We’ll be in touch again soon with more news and details of next month’s Erratic.
All the best,
Andy, Fiona and Pete: The Walkspace Committee.