Motorbike enthusiasts gather at Exeter Cathedral for unique ceremony
First Blessing of the Bikes brings bikers and clergy together
Motorbike enthusiasts from across the South West assembled outside Exeter Cathedral for its inaugural Blessing of the Bikes ceremony on Sunday, 10th May.
The event, organised by Father Matthew Cashmore, an Anglican priest and keen biker from Devon, featured a choral Evensong inside the Cathedral.
It was also broadcasted live on a large screen outside on Cathedral Green, allowing more people to participate in the celebration.
Father Cashmore was delighted by the turnout and the atmosphere, saying, "It was amazing hearing all the bikes revving as they were leaving, making a joyful noise, but not necessarily the noise you would expect from the Cathedral. I was astonished how many people came into the Cathedral. It was beautiful to have the normal congregation mingling with the bikers and inviting them in. Christians and bikers are very similar in the way we just put our arms around people and pull people in, and that was in practice today."
Dr Mike Harrison, the Bishop of Exeter, along with the choir, processed out of the Cathedral for a special blessing ceremony where Holy water was sprinkled on each bike. Bishop Harrison highlighted the event's importance, saying, "We’ve been blessing the bikes and asking for God’s protection over the bikers and blessing their community, which is a wonderful one and very hospitable to one another."
Canon Cate Edmonds, who oversees outreach and mission for Exeter Cathedral, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, commenting, "This was a really fantastic mission opportunity. It was a joy to be able to open to a different section of the community. We had people that came from as far away as Bath and Gloucester. It almost felt like a carnival. What was wonderful was the sense of community they had with us and each other. It was moving to see how people wanted their bikes blessed and wanted themselves to be blessed. I think God just accepts everyone as they are."
In addition to the biker event, Father Cashmore is planning a significant motorbike pilgrimage, spanning 8000 miles, to visit churches and shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary across Europe. This journey will contribute to a book commissioned by Bloomsbury Publishing named Two Holy Bikers, scheduled for publication in October 2027.