The Crossway By Guy Stagg

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

France

20180618

An epic journey, but also an intimate one.

After several years of mental illness, Guy Stagg set off one morning, from London, to walk to Canterbury. Ill-prepared and not entirely clear why he was doing this, he nevertheless got there. Exhausted, he lay beneath the Cathedral walls and then decided to continue.

A few months later, on New Year's Day, 2013, he set out from Canterbury to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem.

Ten months and 5,500 kilometres later, he arrived.

This is the story of Guy's walk. Danger and physical hardship lay in his path but he was also haunted by the memories that he sought to flee and ambushed by echoes of his breakdown.

Five extracts follow some of his experiences through snow and storm across the Alps, among other pilgrims in Italy, despairing and alone in Greece, and finally to the incessant rounds of competing worship in Jerusalem.

It's a journey through the pathways of faith and recovery towards healing and understanding.

In this episode, Guy leaves England for France, where the weather turns grim and the strangers are kind.

Abridged in five parts by Jill Waters and Isobel Creed

Read by Jonathan Bailey

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.

A young man makes a pilgrimage from London to Canterbury - and then keeps walking.

Guy Stagg's evocative account of a modern pilgrimage. Read by Jonathan Bailey.

The Alps

20180619

On foot and alone in winter, the author is determined to cross the Alps.

The monks he encounters along the way are sceptical.

An epic journey, but also an intimate one.

A few months later, on New Year's Day, 2013, he set out from Canterbury to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem.

Ten months and 5,500 kilometres later, he arrived.

This is the story of Guy's walk. Danger and physical hardship lay in his path but he was also haunted by the memories that he sought to flee and ambushed by echoes of his breakdown.

It's a journey through the pathways of faith and recovery towards healing and understanding.

Read by Jonathan Bailey

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.

Snow drifts and ice pose life-threatening danger as the author attempts the Alps.

Guy Stagg's evocative account of a modern pilgrimage. Read by Jonathan Bailey.

The River Po

20180620

Guy meets some other pilgrims and also battles with the temptation to break the rules.

An epic journey, but also an intimate one.

A few months later, on New Year's Day, 2013, he set out from Canterbury to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem.

Ten months and 5,500 kilometres later, he arrived.

This is the story of Guy's walk. Danger and physical hardship lay in his path but he was also haunted by the memories that he sought to flee and ambushed by echoes of his breakdown.

It's a journey through the pathways of faith and recovery towards healing and understanding.

Read by Jonathan Bailey

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.

In Northern Italy, following the Via Francigena, Guy needs help to cross a river.

Guy Stagg's evocative account of a modern pilgrimage. Read by Jonathan Bailey.

Detour

20180621

Guy confronts memories of his breakdown in London and the reasons for his journey.

An epic journey, but also an intimate one.

A few months later, on New Year's Day, 2013, he set out from Canterbury to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem.

Ten months and 5,500 kilometres later, he arrived.

This is the story of Guy's walk. Danger and physical hardship lay in his path but he was also haunted by the memories that he sought to flee and ambushed by echoes of his breakdown.

It's a journey through the pathways of faith and recovery towards healing and understanding.

Read by Jonathan Bailey

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.

Memories of the author's breakdown resurface in Thessaloniki.

Guy Stagg's evocative account of a modern pilgrimage. Read by Jonathan Bailey.

Jerusalem

20180622

Guy arrives in Jerusalem and reflects on what he has learnt.

An epic journey, but also an intimate one.

A few months later, on New Year's Day, 2013, he set out from Canterbury to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem.

Ten months and 5,500 kilometres later, he arrived.

This is the story of Guy's walk. Danger and physical hardship lay in his path but he was also haunted by the memories that he sought to flee and ambushed by echoes of his breakdown.

It's a journey through the pathways of faith and recovery towards healing and understanding.

Read by Jonathan Bailey

Producer: Jill Waters

A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.

Guy arrives in Jerusalem, after 5,500km on foot, without triumph or celebration.

Guy Stagg's evocative account of a modern pilgrimage. Read by Jonathan Bailey.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	France	20180618	An epic journey, but also an intimate one. After several years of mental illness, Guy Stagg set off one morning, from London, to walk to Canterbury. Ill-prepared and not entirely clear why he was doing this, he nevertheless got there. Exhausted, he lay beneath the Cathedral walls and then decided to continue. A few months later, on New Year's Day, 2013, he set out from Canterbury to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem. Ten months and 5,500 kilometres later, he arrived. This is the story of Guy's walk. Danger and physical hardship lay in his path but he was also haunted by the memories that he sought to flee and ambushed by echoes of his breakdown. Five extracts follow some of his experiences through snow and storm across the Alps, among other pilgrims in Italy, despairing and alone in Greece, and finally to the incessant rounds of competing worship in Jerusalem. It's a journey through the pathways of faith and recovery towards healing and understanding. In this episode, Guy leaves England for France, where the weather turns grim and the strangers are kind. Abridged in five parts by Jill Waters and Isobel Creed Read by Jonathan Bailey Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018. A young man makes a pilgrimage from London to Canterbury - and then keeps walking. Guy Stagg's evocative account of a modern pilgrimage. Read by Jonathan Bailey.
02	The Alps	20180619	On foot and alone in winter, the author is determined to cross the Alps. The monks he encounters along the way are sceptical. An epic journey, but also an intimate one. After several years of mental illness, Guy Stagg set off one morning, from London, to walk to Canterbury. Ill-prepared and not entirely clear why he was doing this, he nevertheless got there. Exhausted, he lay beneath the Cathedral walls and then decided to continue. A few months later, on New Year's Day, 2013, he set out from Canterbury to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem. Ten months and 5,500 kilometres later, he arrived. This is the story of Guy's walk. Danger and physical hardship lay in his path but he was also haunted by the memories that he sought to flee and ambushed by echoes of his breakdown. Five extracts follow some of his experiences through snow and storm across the Alps, among other pilgrims in Italy, despairing and alone in Greece, and finally to the incessant rounds of competing worship in Jerusalem. It's a journey through the pathways of faith and recovery towards healing and understanding. Read by Jonathan Bailey Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018. Snow drifts and ice pose life-threatening danger as the author attempts the Alps. Guy Stagg's evocative account of a modern pilgrimage. Read by Jonathan Bailey.
03	The River Po	20180620	Guy meets some other pilgrims and also battles with the temptation to break the rules. An epic journey, but also an intimate one. After several years of mental illness, Guy Stagg set off one morning, from London, to walk to Canterbury. Ill-prepared and not entirely clear why he was doing this, he nevertheless got there. Exhausted, he lay beneath the Cathedral walls and then decided to continue. A few months later, on New Year's Day, 2013, he set out from Canterbury to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem. Ten months and 5,500 kilometres later, he arrived. This is the story of Guy's walk. Danger and physical hardship lay in his path but he was also haunted by the memories that he sought to flee and ambushed by echoes of his breakdown. Five extracts follow some of his experiences through snow and storm across the Alps, among other pilgrims in Italy, despairing and alone in Greece, and finally to the incessant rounds of competing worship in Jerusalem. It's a journey through the pathways of faith and recovery towards healing and understanding. Read by Jonathan Bailey Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018. In Northern Italy, following the Via Francigena, Guy needs help to cross a river. Guy Stagg's evocative account of a modern pilgrimage. Read by Jonathan Bailey.
04	Detour	20180621	Guy confronts memories of his breakdown in London and the reasons for his journey. An epic journey, but also an intimate one. After several years of mental illness, Guy Stagg set off one morning, from London, to walk to Canterbury. Ill-prepared and not entirely clear why he was doing this, he nevertheless got there. Exhausted, he lay beneath the Cathedral walls and then decided to continue. A few months later, on New Year's Day, 2013, he set out from Canterbury to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem. Ten months and 5,500 kilometres later, he arrived. This is the story of Guy's walk. Danger and physical hardship lay in his path but he was also haunted by the memories that he sought to flee and ambushed by echoes of his breakdown. Five extracts follow some of his experiences through snow and storm across the Alps, among other pilgrims in Italy, despairing and alone in Greece, and finally to the incessant rounds of competing worship in Jerusalem. It's a journey through the pathways of faith and recovery towards healing and understanding. Read by Jonathan Bailey Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018. Memories of the author's breakdown resurface in Thessaloniki. Guy Stagg's evocative account of a modern pilgrimage. Read by Jonathan Bailey.
05	Jerusalem	20180622	Guy arrives in Jerusalem and reflects on what he has learnt. An epic journey, but also an intimate one. After several years of mental illness, Guy Stagg set off one morning, from London, to walk to Canterbury. Ill-prepared and not entirely clear why he was doing this, he nevertheless got there. Exhausted, he lay beneath the Cathedral walls and then decided to continue. A few months later, on New Year's Day, 2013, he set out from Canterbury to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem. Ten months and 5,500 kilometres later, he arrived. This is the story of Guy's walk. Danger and physical hardship lay in his path but he was also haunted by the memories that he sought to flee and ambushed by echoes of his breakdown. Five extracts follow some of his experiences through snow and storm across the Alps, among other pilgrims in Italy, despairing and alone in Greece, and finally to the incessant rounds of competing worship in Jerusalem. It's a journey through the pathways of faith and recovery towards healing and understanding. Read by Jonathan Bailey Producer: Jill Waters A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018. Guy arrives in Jerusalem, after 5,500km on foot, without triumph or celebration. Guy Stagg's evocative account of a modern pilgrimage. Read by Jonathan Bailey.