Commemorative Walk from Uitenhage to Grahamstown
4 - 9 August 2005
Over 70 grade 11 pupils from St Andrew’s College are preparing both mentally and physically for the six-day Merriman Commemorative Long Walk that extends from Uitenhage to Grahamstown. As part of the school’s 150th anniversary celebrations the group, led by teacher Mike Crampton will depart Uitenhage on 4 August at 8am for the first leg of their journey towards Addo.
In the foundation year, 1855, Archdeacon Nathaniel James Merriman, the first Archdeacon of Grahamstown, walked this route to participate in the founding ceremony of St Andrew’s College. Upon his appointment as Archdeacon, Merriman had instructions to expand the church in the Eastern Cape he therefore travelled widely throughout the eastern frontier and preferred to go on foot to absorb the whole experience. The Merriman Long Walk symbolizes the continuity of the values and educational vision of Merriman.
Three descendants of Merriman will join the courageous group – Murray Clarke who is the great-great-great grandson of Merriman and is currently in Post Matric at SAC, his mother Rose Clarke and Rob Gess who is the great-great grandson of Merriman. The trio will find the walk particular significant since all find inspiration in Merriman who achieved more than most in his lifetime. On 9 August the group in period dress, led by Gess (who will act as Merriman), will endure the last section of the mammoth walk and join the school for the Founders’ Day Ceremony celebrations. They will attend a special service led by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and local Bishop Thabo Makgoba in the Grahamstown Cathedral. Following the service a procession, led by the St Andrew’s Pipe Band, will walk back to the school where the symbolic blessing and unveiling of the new Foundation Stone will take place by the two Bishops.
The route meanders inland towards Addo and the heart of the Sunday’s River valley and then weaves along original roads and runs adjacent to game reserves passing through Sir Percy Fitzpatrick’s lookout, the historic Zuurberg pass, Alicedale, the Highlands hills and finally to Grahamstown.
Photos along the Way
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Recognise any of these travellers from the 1980 walk?
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