Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation

Walking for Activism: for fitness, for publicity; for a public reaction. But just to mingle in the wonderful British country-side and to enjoy the scenery

Details: Written by: John Burke; Published: 05 October 2026; Last Updated: 05 October 2026; Hits: 58

Currently scouting out for the next Walk for Freedom adventure, in County Durham, from Bishop's Auckland, to Durham itself and onto Finchale Priory on the banks of the river Wear (of Tyne and Wear nomenclature!) See lots of photos on our Flickr Album (Click Here)

The Road (was Railway) Viaduct into Bishop's Auckland) from the pack horse crossing

Durham Cathedral "sailing" on a sea of Green - The Cathedral sits on a high rock outcrop and is a steep walk to visit.

Finchale Priory (or Abbey) started in 1196 on the Banks of the River Wear

These photos were recorded upon several of the potentails walks over old railway lines and of ancient 'lanes' {Frankland Lane] trod by Monks heading to the Finchale Priory many centuries before us!

Frankland Lane History

The Durham end. The lane starts at Sidegate, by Crook Hall. Sidegate was a manor whose name literally meant a side entrance into the city, so you were leaving Durham by one of its old back ways. The oldest surviving part of Crook Hall was built by Peter del Croke in the first half of the 14th century, probably replacing an earlier building. englandsnortheast global

The bishops' park. The lane takes its name from Frankland, which was a hunting park for the Bishops of Durham, with lands stretching down towards the centre of the city. The Victoria County History notes that paths led across the fields from the road by Crook Hall to Frankland, where the bishops had their park. By the 19th century the park was long gone as a working deer park: the land had been enclosed and divided into farms well before 1840, yet a keeper of Frankland park was still being appointed as a sinecure as late as 1848. The farm called Frankland Park, on the sloping fields above the Wear, preserves the name, and you will have passed through that farmland on the climb. Durham City : Framwellgate and Neville’s Cross - England's North East +3

The Finchale end. The priory grew from the hermitage of St Godric in the 12th century and later became a rest house for the monks of Durham Cathedral priory. It is reasonable to suppose that monks and servants travelling between the two used a route along this side of the river, but I haven't found a source that says the present lane is that route, so treat it as likely rather than proven.

Later layers. The north end is much more recent in character. Brasside Pond is an artificial lake left by clay digging for a neighbouring brickworks, which closed long ago along with its branch railway, and Frankland Prison now sits beside it. durham

So the sunken, hedged feel you noticed fits: it is an old access track through a medieval episcopal park, later a farm lane after enclosure.

Details: Written by: John Burke; Published: 12 September 2026; Last Updated: 22 September 2026; Hits: 635

Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) UK

Scarborough to Whitby, along the Cinder Track Saturday 12th September 2026

1. Introduction

On Saturday 12th September 2026, 25 members and supporters of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) UK gathered in the car park of Sainsbury's, Falsgrave Road, Scarborough, to undertake a sponsored "Walk for Freedom" — a 21.8-mile (34.9 km) walk along the Cinder Track, the former trackbed of the Scarborough to Whitby railway, finishing at Battery Parade, Whitby.

It is also worth reminding ourselves that the Zimbabwe Vigil itself, thanks to Patson Muzuwa, was formed on the 12th September 2002 - so this Walk for Freedom S2W is on the 24th anniversary of that important diaspora event!

2. Building the Partnership with Sainsbury's

The walk's starting point — the Sainsbury's superstore car park on Falsgrave Road — was secured only after a period of correspondence between ZHRO and Sainsbury's head office.

Initial approach made to Sainsbury's CEO's office, which referred ZHRO to the Community Division.
The Community Division put ZHRO in touch with local Scarborough store management — Mark (Store Manager) and Chris (Community Champion/Officer).
A pre-event site visit was made the week before the walk, during which a donation of 32 bottles of water for the walkers was arranged with the store.
In addition, permission was granted for the 5 cars of the support group [and for those from far away] could stay within the Car Park for upto 12 hours - again thanks to the Local Sainsbury's.

3. The Day: Assembly and Departure

Walkers began assembling in the Sainsbury's car park from 8:00 am. Rain had been forecast, and from around 8:30 am it duly arrived — but spirits were not dampened. Around 20 plastic ponchos were distributed, and the group made the most of the conditions with photographs, singing and drumming while the final arrivals gathered.

Details: Written by: John Burke; Published: 28 August 2026; Last Updated: 22 September 2026; Hits: 604

First Scarborough to Whitby Walk for Freedom — 12 September 2026

People Are Not Procedures.

On Saturday 12 September 2026, ZHRO takes its Walk for Freedom north but not for the first time, following the old railway line and coastal path between Scarborough and Whitby. It's in our 2026 calendar of walks, and comes just weeks after our flagship 100km+ Brighton to Hampton Court walk, completed on 16 August- [see link] — itself marking ten years since ZHRO was founded on 22 October 2016 AND Walking for Freedon. {See route HERE}

Why Scarborough to Whitby

A large number of ZHRO's members and supporters have been placed across the North of England during their asylum process, often far from the network of community and support built up around our southern walks. This route is our another step toward a permanent Northern presence — bringing the Walk for Freedom to where so many of our people already are.

The route itself follows a mostly flat gently undulating path along the disused railway line and Cleveland Way, taking in Ravenscar, Robin Hood's Bay, and the dramatic North Yorkshire coastline before finishing in Whitby — a fitting stretch for walkers of a wide range of fitness levels, and a chance to combine gentle exercise with fresh sea air and good company.

What the walk stands for

Every ZHRO Walk for Freedom carries the same message: #tiripachirangano — "kure kure," far away — a tribute to those still walking, still displaced, still waiting for change at home in Zimbabwe. This walk continues that tradition while also being, simply, a good day of walking, food, and fellowship by the sea.

Join us

Whether you can join for the full route or just a section, all walkers are welcome. To register your interest or find out more, get in touch with any of our walk coordinators:

Mellisa Marewangepo – 07389 185151
Melody Magejo – 07749 0913486
Dickson Chikwizo – 07482 324517
Josephine Jenje-Mudimu – 07749 895 989

You can also support ZHRO's work directly at walk.zhro.org.uk, with all funds payable to ZHRO Ltd.

ZHRO Ltd — Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation. A Zimbabwean diaspora-centric charity marking ten years of walking for freedom in 2026.

New Update: We have compiled a list of the intermadiate "WAYPOINTS" along the OS Online mapping LINK{As above but repeated here - CLICK HERE}

Details: Written by: John Burke; Published: 19 August 2026; Last Updated: 22 September 2026; Hits: 1149

Walk for Freedom 2026: 10 Years & Still Walking

Brighton Pier, 15–16 August 2026

Getting the ZHRO family to Brighton for the 10-year anniversary was, in itself, its own small odyssey. Participants converged from across the country — Leicester, Manchester, Stockton-on-Tees, Wolverhampton, Southampton, Oxfordshire, Chesterfield, Worthing, and beyond — a reminder of just how far the Walk for Freedom's reach has grown over a decade.

The logistics were compounded by a very practical challenge: distributing the full run of ZHRO 10 Year Walk for Freedom T-shirts, which had arrived by FedEx the previous Monday (10 August) — 23kg of them. A spreadsheet was set up to track sales (£15 per shirt) alongside separate contributions toward food and other costs (£25 each), so we could keep an accurate record of who'd paid, who still owed, and what had been banked.

The plan had been simple enough on paper: gather at Brighton Pier for 5:00am on Saturday 15th, setting off at 5:30am sharp. Reality, as ever, had other ideas.

Now we fully understand tha Mr Masimba Mavaza needs to keep his job with Zanu PF - so here is our 100% accurate, list of people taking part or supporting the 2026 - 10 year Anniversary walk: ready?

Rashiwe Bayisayi, Stanford Biti, John Burke, Francisca Chiduku, Justin Prince Chihurani, Dickson Chikwizo, Elizabeth Chitengo, Tanya Daka, Rosaline Dzidzwa, Anna Katsande, Shackleton Machingura, Phyllis M Magejo, Henry Makambe, Blessing T Makeyi, Genius K Mamwadhu, Mellisa Marewangepo, Panganai Mauzinyu, Mandy Mubaiwa, Roselyne Mubayiwa, Mary Blanton Mugabe, Felistas W Munemo, Felicia W Munemo, Patson Muruwa, Sindiso Ndlovu, Velisiwe Ndlovu, Chipo Parirenyatwa, Michelle Rwatiringa, Jambaya Samuel

Still under development - come back soon!

Walk For Freedom 2026 — 10th Anniversary!

Brighton Pier over 100km {65 miles} to London (Hampton Court Railway Station)
15th–16th August 2026 Meet at 5:00am (or earlier) – do not be late!

This year marks our 10th Anniversary Walk for Freedom — and we want it to be our biggest and best yet!

With just over 2 weeks to go, we urgently need to confirm numbers so we can organise: Talk to our Walk Organising Group members: Phylis M Magejo; Josephine Jenje-Mudimbu; Rashiwe Bayisayi; Henry Makambe; Patson Muzuwa; Samuel Jambaja; Dickson Chikwizo; Justin Prince and John Burke all on the relevant Whats Up Platforms. Plus many uncredited who help with accomodations on the Friday 14th August so that we can meet at 5:00am - including Sis Chipo!

Cooked food along the route
Drinks; Water, Tea, Coffee or Soup
Transport along the way – for those tired legs/feet - injuries or cramp!
Help?advice with Accomodation for the 5:00am meet time

To register, please confirm your place and pay: REGISTRATION FORM {CLICK HERE}

£25 per person — covers food, drinks & transport along the route
£15 per person — for the 10 Year Anniversary Walk 4 Freedom T-Shirt (revised design!)

Total: £40 if you'd like both (or £25 if you don't need a T-shirt)

Please confirm and pay by [Friday 31st July 2026] so we can plan properly and organise the T-shirt order in time.

How to pay: [See QR Code on "Walk Entry or Donations" Panels below/side - ALTERNATIVELY pay by Bank Transfer - via WhatsApp Groups ]

How to register: [Click Link Above or HERE]

Every step we walk, and every pound raised, helps in the fight to end human trafficking and modern slavery. Let's make this 10th Anniversary one to remember — walk with us, wear the shirt, and be part of the story.

Sign up today — spaces and T-shirt sizes are limited!

Additional Donations are welcome too – for those not able to attend this year

Click on the Walk for Freedom Journey points schedule to enlarge it

Subcategories

Walker Views Article Count: 11

We have had so many written reactions from the people who have walked or have an opinions upon the walks and Walk for Freedom - thaty we need to create this new sub-directory

Page 1 of 9

Planning Next Walk for Freedom

Walk for Freedom— Scarborough

1. Introduction

2. Building the Partnership with Sainsbury's

3. The Day: Assembly and Departure

12th Sept Scarborough-Whitby

First Scarborough to Whitby Walk for Freedom — 12 September 2026

Why Scarborough to Whitby

What the walk stands for

Join us

10 Years & Still Walking

Walk for Freedom 2026: 10 Years & Still Walking

10 Years of W4F

Walk For Freedom 2026 — 10th Anniversary!

Subcategories

Walker Views Article Count: 11

Latest Articles

JEvents Calendar

Walk Entry or Donations

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