Hundreds join Archbishops on Lambeth anti-slavery walk

The walk of witness from Whitehall to Kennington Park was one of two walks held on Saturday to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade by Britain.

The walkers paused on Lambeth Bridge for prayers and songs whilst a wreath – - marked with the number 2,704 to represent the number of ships which departed from London's docks destined to carry slaves during the Transatlantic slave trade – was carried onto Lambeth Pier.

Two young people took the wreath onto a boat which carried it away to the Isle of Dogs. The wreath will later be taken to Westminster Abbey for the national service to mark the bicentenary.

The walk of witness continued past Lambeth Palace and along Lambeth Road before turning right into Kennington Road towards Kennington Park where participants in another walk from William Wilberforce's Clapham church had also gathered for an act of worship.

Saturday's events – under the slogan Remembrance, Repentance, Restoration – followed the apology given last year by the Church of England for its role in the slave trade.