On September 2 nd Bishop Stephen, the Bishop of Oxford, started his pilgrimage to Milton Keynes. On that day he cycled between half a dozen or more churches in the north of Milton Keynes, blessing the church and its congregation, chalking his blessing on the lintel of the building, and praying with the local congregation.
He was welcomed to three churches on his route – Great Linford, Downs Barn and Bradwell – by a small group of ringers drawn from these towers, as well as Shenley, Woughton and Newport Pagnell.
The Bishop told the ringers that he was pleasantly surprised by the welcome, and said how he had heard the bells from far off as he cycled from Wolverton to Great Linford, guiding him toward the church.