• To bring an apology for the role of Europeans (and especially the role of the church) in the Atlantic slave trade and to ask how we can make amends and repair the damage.

• To provide a safe place for dialogue and to foster healing and reconciliation.

• To engage with schools, public forums and the media to educate about the true history of slavery and abolition and the need to deal with ongoing issues of racism, racial justice and forgiveness.

• To remember the abolitionists of 200 years ago, especially seeking to bring to the fore the contribution of lesser known abolitionists, both black and white. To further the work started by abolitionists 200 years ago by facilitating healing and restoration from the consequences of slavery among Africans and African descendants

• To draw attention to ongoing forms of contemporary slavery and to campaign for its abolition. To also draw attention to the dehumanisation of any race or people group by any kind oppression or slavery .

'March of the Abolitionists' - From Hull to London

The 'March of the Abolitionists' walk from Hull to Westminster began on 1st March 2007 and was a mammoth 250 miles long. With regard to the abolition of the slave trade in England, it is a curious fact that several key events occurred within a few miles of the Greenwich meridian line and the route taken by the walkers.

• William Wilberforce came from Hull and Thomas Clarkson from Wisbech, both places close to the meridian line.

• Thomas Clarkson wrote the essay on the slave trade, which changed his life in Cambridge and also committed his life to abolition at Wadesmill in Hertfordshire.

• Wilberforce made a similar commitment by the oak in Keston Kent.

• Olaudah Equiano lived for a time in Greenwich. He was married at St. Andrew's Church, Soham, Cambridgeshire and his daughter was buried at Chesterton in Cambridge.

• The bill to abolish slavery was passed in Westminster. The Anti Slavery Society, which Clarkson started, is located in Stockwell.

In 2000 a footpath was devised called the Meridian Way, which was used for the 'Jubilee 2000 Lifeline Walk' and this route was again used for the last part of the walk. Parliament voted to abolish the slave trade on 24th February 1807 and the Act became law at noon on 25th March 1807.

Image Courtesy of Google Maps

Route Details:
(Daily Starting Points in BOLD)

'March of the Abolitionists' Arrive in Soham

As part of The Lifeline Expedition 'March of the Abolitionists' walk from Hull to London the walkers visited Soham on Friday 16th March 2007. On arriving in Soham, complete with yokes and chains, they visited St. Andrew's Church where abolitionist Olaudah Equiano had married Susannah Cullen on 7th April 1792. During the evening the marchers were treated to dinner at Soham Village College along with a talk & slideshow about Equiano by expert Dr Brycchan Carey. Expedition leader, David Pott, then gave a talk about the aims of The Lifeline Expedition and the reasons and purpose of the walk from Hull to London.

Dr Brycchan Carey (Left), Donna Martin from Soham Community History Museum & David Pott from The Lifeline Expedition with some of the walkers of 'March of the Abolitionists'

Dr Brycchan Carey - Expert on Olaudah Equiano David Pott from The Lifeline Expedition