Rogation is a Christian tradition which involves walking round the boundaries of a parish, helping everyone know where they are, making sure they haven't been moved, and asking God to bless the harvest that is coming up. It has been around for centuries, possibly dating back to the 5th Century AD, and certainly nearly 1000 years old in England, but has fallen out of favour somewhat in our society.

This year, the Church season of Rogation falls in the school half term (late May bank holiday week), which provides a great opportunity to return to those traditions and walk around our Benefice (group of parishes), reconnecting ourselves with the land which provides our food and living.

After a service on a farm on the Sunday, I will be walking round the Benefice over the course of the next three days (approximately 10 miles per day) with anyone who wishes to join me. Come and enjoy the walk, reconnect with your patch of the world, join me in asking God to bless our crops and our labour, or just commune by yourself with nature and the God who made it. You are welcome to bring pets (and children, of course), although please be aware that some of the sections are by necessity along country roads. Full details of each day's planned walk below. The current plan is to start at 10am each day, finishing about 2-3pm. However, if it is too hot the start time may be brought forward, so please check these pages or social media for updates.

Today’s walk starts at All Saints Yatesbury, heads East to Windmill Hill, then up to Yatesbury Lane, from where it cuts across to Highway and via Goodenough Corner round the west of Compton Bassett parish down the side of the tip before cutting across the fields to St Swithin’s Church. It is almost exactly 10 miles.