More than 1,000 pilgrims visited the Padley Martyrs' shrine in Grindleford, Derbyshire, on 11 July 2010 for the annual outdoor Mass.  Situated in the beautiful countryside of Derbyshire, this annual pilgrimage of the Dioceses of Hallam and Nottingham is seen as an opportunity to acknowledge the sincerity of faith of people who lived in darker and more difficult times, and who went to their death for their faith.

Fantastic weather proved a draw, with visitors picnicking in the ruins of the old manor house.  But the big attraction was a visit by the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols.

It was the first time Archbishop Nichols had been to Padley, which he described as "a lovely place, so full of resonance for the Catholic life of this area."

Custodian of the shrine, Celia White, said, "We were delighted to welcome the Archbishop and I know the chance of seeing him boosted our attendance figures this year.  But I hope that now these people have experienced Padley's unique atmosphere they will come again next year."

Also at Padley were the Catholic Bishops of Hallam and Nottingham, John Rawsthorne and Malcolm McMahon.

Archbishop Nichols's homily can be donwloaded here.

A pilgrimage takes place each year on the Sunday closest to 12 July - the day when travelling priests Nicholas Garlick and Robert Ludlam were captured at Padley in 1588.  They were convicted of treason on 23 July 1588 and were executed the following day on St Mary's Bridge at Derby.

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