by Nina Carter-Brown
I met Damien in 2018 when I first walked Northern Leg. I arrived late, coming straight from the Netherlands as I’d double booked the weekend. Everyone was in the church hall having soup and sandwiches for lunch on Monday. I remember being amazed and completely baffled by how the cross was transported along the road (I’d missed the Friday evening briefing!). What sticks in my mind so clearly is Damien walking beside me as I took my first pilgrim cross steps, wanting to get to know me, and explaining all the weird and wonderful, practical and mythical aspects of Northern. What I felt was immediate welcome and inclusion, from everyone, but first from Damien, and I appreciated it so much. Arriving late into a community I wondered how it would feel and had been a bit apprehensive. After 10 minutes on the road walking and talking with Damien, I was still confused as to what exactly I’d said yes to, but that didn’t matter because I felt the love and was happy to be here with my fellow pilgrims!
I spent time with Damien in November, just 2 months ago. I was walking a personal pilgrimage from Brighton to Bradford on and around the first anniversary of my best friend’s death. When I saw my route took me through Leicester I asked if I could stay a night. I immediately received a reply saying of course, I was in the diary and he’d blocked out a few days either side in case they were needed. In the end I did need to stay the night before and Damien met me, drove me to his home and the next day drove me back so I could continue my walk which took me to Leicester.
It was a special moment seeing Damien approaching as we met on the tow path of the Grand Union Canal. As we walked the few miles to his car we talked about grief and he shared stories of some of his dear friends who had died. He understood what I was doing and why I was doing it, friendship meant so much to him, as did walking Pilgrim (Student) Cross. He wanted to make sure I had everything I could possibly need, to the extent that before I set off he arranged a zoom call to find out what would enable my time with him to be the best it could be, the level of detail in the hospitality he offered was incredible, down to what type of bread I would like and reassurance the coffee situation was sorted!
His kindness and love held me in the time I spent with him, his faith was deep and I know he was praying for me and so many others, I hope he still is. As well as walking we laughed a lot, enjoyed good food and drink, and got to know each other better. What was clear when Damien spoke about his life was his care for others and love for friends and family. I’m blessed our paths crossed. I’m still in shock that I won’t get to spend more time with him, I will miss him. We walked out of Leicester together and got to a place where he could loop back home to the coffee and croissants waiting for him, and I would continue North. He pointed out a heron flying overhead and gave me a hug to send me on my way. He stayed in touch with words of encouragement, funny memes, facts about Leicester, the booking link for NL2025 and a poem by Donna Ashworth on missing someone you love, I’m grateful for it all.
Northern Pilgrim 