Cleveland Circles
Archbishop in Step with Vicar's Circling Husband
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has welcomed a new book by John Eckersley - York-based writer, teacher, walker, indefatigable Christian Aid fundraiser and Vicar's husband. Cleveland Circles, a new book of walks based on the Cleveland Way, is launched in the wide-open spaces of Cleveland and North Yorkshire on Saturday 8th April 2006.
Dr Sentamu's Foreword to the book, the profits from which will go entirely to Christian Aid, says, "I am enormously grateful to John Eckersley for writing this book - not so much a guide to the Cleveland Way as a companion to fascinating detours."
John Eckersley himself will lead a party from Heslington Church setting off from Osmotherley; one of thirty groups simultaneously walking the circular trails which together include the whole 108-mile route created in 1969.
Cleveland Circles is John Eckersley's fourth book of walks to raise funds for Christian Aid. A former Geography teacher at St Aidan's Church of England High School, Harrogate, John's professional interests and passions for the Christian faith, the world-wide relief work of Christian Aid, the great outdoors and the passing-on of his knowledge and enthusiasm all come together in his books. Married to Nancy, the Vicar of Heslington (York), John is also a Church of England Reader - a licensed lay preacher and minister.
John Eckersley says, "The North York Moors are the most incredible blessing for those of us who live nearby. The sheer beauty of the place is just the beginning - the more you look, the more you see. With friends and family I have had a wonderful time researching and writing Cleveland Circles, and I hope that many others will be able to share that pleasure as well as helping some of the world's neediest people through Christian Aid."
Cleveland Circles follows the successful and absorbing pattern set by 'Exploring Lake Pickering' (published 2003), in which a long-distance route is explored in detail through a series of local circular routes, each one meticulously mapped, described, illustrated, and embellished with a wealth of historical and other details about the places, buildings and communities passed along the way. Rightly, in view of the region's history, the Church figures prominently through the spectacular legacy of buildings, landscapes and characters from the past, and through the present-day life and work of its members.
As with John Eckersley's previous books for Christian Aid, Cleveland Circles is stocked by a number of Tourist Information Centres and local bookshops, many of them for no profit, and it can be ordered from any bookseller. Copies may be obtained direct from John by telephoning 01904 410389.
Cleveland Circles is priced at £9.00 (all profits to Christian Aid). ISBN 0 953 58623 5 112pp soft cover, colour throughout.
Cleveland Circles becomes the sixth in a series of walking books published in York to benefit Christian Aid. Previous titles are: Tidewater Way by Tony Rablen; Whitby Way by Leslie Stanbridge; ECHOES - or Eckoes? by John Eckersley; Abbeys Amble by John Eckersley; and Exploring Lake Pickering by John Eckersley. Click here for details about these other books.