Bishop's Castle: Launching the bc ring

It is always nice to come across events on holiday. It doesn't quite rank with hearing Runrig play in Portree, but last night I was invited to the launch of a new long-distance footpath at Bishop's Castle town hall.

The bc ring is a 62-mile route that circles the town. The press release (PDF) on the launch describes the route:

The bc ring walk passes through some wonderful scenery starting with the well known Kerry Ridgeway and then along the world famous Offa’s Dyke and via the Shropshire Way to Clun with its majestic ruined castle.
The path continues via Hopton Castle to the top of Clunbury Hill passing through Aston on Clun with its Arbor Tree to the Long Mynd with its ancient Portway and one of Shropshire’s most rugged spots – the Stiperstones. It then drops down to the Bog where a refreshing cup of tea and cake may be enjoyed when the Bog Centre is open.
Passing by Shelve Pool the path crosses Stapeley Common with its two stone circles and much evidence of Bronze Age habitation. It continues past the hills (with an optional climb to the top) of Corndon and Roundton and across the Camlad Valley with the only river flowing into Wales from England.
The final section of the route returns walkers to the welcoming streets of Bishop’s Castle and journey’s end.

Bishop's Castle is now a Walkers are Welcome town too.

As was explained last night, the chief motivation behind Bishop's Castle seeking this status was that Church Stretton (a small town on the other side of the Long Mynd) had just been awarded it.

Never underestimate the power of local rivalry.