Fifty process through Sidmouth streets in silent witness on Good Friday

CHRISTIANS in Sidmouth began this year’s Good Friday Walk of Witness outside the town’s Catholic Church in Radway.

On a sunny morning, young Flora Hadfield, with John Defoe, led the procession of around 50, carrying a wooden cross.

Reverend Prebendary David James said: “We walked in silent witness to the Methodist Church and thence to the Market square using Mark’s account of the Passion at the different stops, followed by prayers and Passiontide hymns.”

From Market Place the procession moved to Bedford steps where a 10-foot cross had been erected the day before.

“That was quite a powerful witness in itself, visible to traffic coming down Station Road as well as to people walking along the Esplanade,” said Mr James.

“It was a much better way round to do the procession because, by the time we ended, there were quite a lot of people, both in the town and on the sea front.”

Visitors joined in the worship and one child was overheard asking her grandmother what people were doing.

Mr James said: “She replied: ‘They’re remembering what happened to Jesus on this day’, and there followed a little explanation of Good Friday.

“So at least one child learnt something about the gospel that day - a good Friday for her. Three cheers for grannies!”