Ancestor's Trail walk over Quantock Hills, Somerset celebrates Darwin & Evolution

This pilgrimage to the darwin (sic) /dawn of time is run with the help of the 'Taunton Humanist Group' and 'British Humanist Association'

Chris Street says 

Jane & Dennis, Chris & Sharon from Dorset Humanists went to 2010 Ancestor's Trail walk in Somerset. It was both a fun ... and educational pilgrimage! A great way to meet Humanists & Sympathisers from all parts of Britain.

The Ancestor's Trail is an annual celebration of the simple and ingenious truth that all life on Earth is related. This secular 'pilgrimage’ traces the course of evolution by following converging footpaths representing the branches of Charles Darwin's Tree of Life. We warmly extend an open invitation to join us. The Trail is inspired by Richard Dawkins' book “The Ancestor's Tale”, subtitled “A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Life”. The book traces the evolutionary history of our species, and many others, back to our origins 3.7 billion years ago.

Baba Brinkman performs his
‘Rap Guide to Evolution’
at Kilve Beach in 2010.

The Human line is the longest (13.5 miles), but you can choose from any one of the shorter routes you will find on the Google map. Each branch will rendezvous with the main trail at specific times (see map) such that the ever-increasing band of 'pilgrims' arrives together at the Dawn of Life ~ Kilve beach, appropriately famous for its fossils. This year, along the trail, rendezvous points will be marked by appropriate words of wisdom, music and performance.
The pilgrims on the human trail start walking at 11am and everyone arrives back at Kilve at around 5.30pm.

This will be our second biological pilgrimage ~ a secular celebration of our shared origins with all life on earth. To achieve this we draped Darwin's tree of life over the Quantock Hills in Somerset, lining it up with its many footpaths. Symbolically, participants walk back 3.7 billion years along Darwin’s tree of life re-uniting with our ancestors as they go. At the finish we throw a party for what has to be the most spectacularly belated birthday celebration on earth!  Walkers start journeys from the ends of the trail branches so that our ever increasing band of 'pilgrims' arrive together at a place presenting biogenesis. http://www.ancestorstrail.net/.

Along the trail you’ll come across a range of scientific, philosophical and musical contributions, including at the trail end, a well deserved cup of 'primordial' soup!

Chris Jenord the Ancestors' Trail organiser writes:-

Dear All,

This year's Ancestor's Trail (Sun 29th May) http://www.ancestorstrail.net/ is planned to be bigger and better. However, we remain a small event in its early stages, with all our funding being raised via ticket sales/public investment. To this end, we have a adopted a Crowdfunder pitch because it allows folks to secure tickets/invest online. As organisers, we need access to this funding early to book coaches, acts and facilities. Hopefully this will also help us avoid the personal loss we incurred last year.

This is currently the only way for participants to book/invest in the event. However, these pitches only run for a fixed term, and ours is approaching its end date.

Our pitch finishes on: 30th March 2011.  http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/investment/ancestor-s-trail-72.

Interested, but can't make it? Many people have really been really enthusiastic about the event, but can't make it on the day. Our Crowdfunder pitch now provides a way that you can support us without attending. Simply follow the pitch link above and invest as if you were coming. As you'll see from the rewards column, if you don't turn up on the day, we'll automatically send you a video of the event and/or merchandise as a thank you.

Crowdfunder pitches are designed so that if the target sum is not reached, everyone gets their money back, so you really have got NOTHING TO LOSE by investing. However, as you will see on our pitch, we currently have a long way to go.


Chris Street says:

If they don't raise £1800 Ancestor's Trail will give the money you've donated back to you. Here's how it works.

Thank you.

Hope to see you in May,

Chris Jenord.

Stop press: Ancestor's Trail will be advertising at the Colston Hall when Brian Cox and Robin Ince (and others) perform their Uncaged Monkeys show. We are also thrilled to accept a donation from A.C Grayling.