#160: Vicars of the fells

#160: Vicars of the fells

From Countrystride by Countrystride

February 27, 2026 · 1h 7m · Episode 160

About this episode

The episode features a discussion on faith, fell-running, and the life of rural vicars in the Lake District.

...in which we pull up a pew at St Oswald’s Church, Grasmere, for a wide-ranging chat about faith in the hills, fell-running and the day-to-day life of the rural vicar. Opening the podcast, we reflect on the personal and faith journeys that have led Lawrence Basham (rector of the Parish of Grasmere and Rydal), Charlie Day (curate of the Binsey Mission Community) and Sam Bentham (intern at Grasmere and Rydal) to the Lakes and consider the ‘no two days the same’ reality of life as a vicar in rural Cumbria. Turning our attention to St Oswald’s, we delve into the history of a wood-carved pulpit that links Sam Read Bookseller, a near-tragedy in the church and Greenup Edge; and consider why Grasmere Rushbearing plays such a key role in the life of the village. Disappearing down a fell-running rabbit hole, we discuss the inaugural ‘Rector’s Run’; the remarkable community of those who run in the fells and the spiritual ‘settling’ that happens when moving through wild places, before Charlie describes a heart-stopping moment in Wasdale (’Swing Low, Sweet Chariot!’) at the head of Joss Naylor’s funeral cortège. Closing our conversation, we play Cumbrian church Top Trumps (and are spoiled…

People in this episode

Guests: Lawrence Basham, Charlie Day, Sam Bentham

Topics covered

  • faith
  • fell-running
  • rural life
  • community
  • history

Keywords

  • St Oswald's Church
  • Grasmere
  • Rector's Run
  • Grasmere Rushbearing
  • Joss Naylor

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Places: Grasmere, Lakes, Cumbria, Greenup Edge, Wasdale, Lakeland

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