Sponsored bike ride for Shepherds Law Hermitage

I'm Brother George Guiver of the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield, and together with my companion Peter Sowden, we'll be cycling from Holy Island to Durham from 29th April to 1st May, in aid of the refurbishment of Shepherds Law Hermitage. Money has already been raised to pay for a link building between the accommodation and the church, which can also function as a meeting-space, and work is shortly to begin on it. The accommodation in 4 two-storeyed "cells" needs full fireproofing and insulation, updated bathroom facilities and preparatory work for installing central heating, and this is estimated to cost £5,000 per cell. Our bike ride has set £5,000 as a target.

Shepherd’s Law is a hermitage dedicated to St Mary and St Cuthbert, set on a hilltop between the villages of Powburn and Eglingham with magnificent views of the Cheviot Hills. It looks out towards the stunning Beamish valley stretching away towards the Tweed and the Scottish border.

The establishment of a Hermitage was the vision of Brother Harold, a Franciscan Friar who, back in the 1960s felt a call to a contemplative way of life; a life centred on prayer and solitude. Over the next few years, through his own hard work and with the help of friends and supporters, the hermitage was built and a cloister and four cells were added, and dedicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1989.

Later a beautiful chapel was built by local craftsmen; it took seven years to complete and was dedicated by the Archbishop of York in 2004. He was accompanied by the Anglican Bishops of Newcastle and Wakefield, the Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and representatives from the Orthodox and Reformed churches; reflecting the ecumenical vision of Brother Harold for the Hermitage.

For over fifty years Brother Harold lived a life of prayer and poverty at Shepherd’s Law, where he had to endure many hardships through tough winters and with very basic facilities. He drew many people to come to him for spiritual guidance and to enjoy the silence, the beauty and solitude which Shepherd’s Law offers. He is now very elderly and not able to live at Shepherd’s Law alone. However, others who have been inspired by his life and vision want to continue his work and share this wonderful place and what it has to offer, with the people of Northumberland and beyond. One past visitor wrote: “Shepherd’s Law, soaked in the prayers of Brother Harold and pilgrims who have ventured here gives the Church an especially ‘thin place’. Here, vocations including my own have been nurtured and better understood. It is a gift to all who come upon it”.

A new Ecumenical Board of Trustees has been established and registered with the Charity Commission and plans are under way to refurbish the buildings, making sure they comply with current health and safety regulations. Groups of volunteers have been busy clearing the grounds and cleaning the interior of the Hermitage. Worship has been re-established on the site since Covid, with a simple ecumenical service being held on the second Sunday of each month at 3pm.

Our Vision:

It is the vision of the trustees that nurturing the monastic way of life with its daily round of worship, work, prayer and contemplation will continue to be the beating heart at Shepherd’s Law. That this will be a place which inspires people from a wide variety of religious traditions to pray together, celebrating diversity and working for peace and reconciliation in our divided world. Alongside this it is our hope that local groups and individuals will come to Shepherd’s Law to enjoy its atmosphere and beauty, and to participate in a range of activities, guided by a desire that they will gain a taste of what monastic life has to give to people. Specific plans for activities include:

• Guided walks from Shepherd’s Law into the surrounding countryside

• Study days for clergy and lay people

• Art/Crafts/Painting/Poetry/ Creative Writing days

• Family Activity Days

• Activity Days for Teenagers

• Deanery Quiet Days

• Contemplating the sky at night

• Well-being Groups

• Vocation Exploration Days

• Bread Church

Once the four cells and communal areas have been refurbished, Shepherd’s Law will also be able to offer hospitality to residential guests from further afield coming for retreat, study, restorative recreation and pilgrimage.