PREPARATIONS are under way for this year’s Bishops Castle Round and About Walks.

The circular route is between the town and Clun, taking in Oakley Mynd, the Walcot Estate and Bury Ditches, as well as parts of the Shropshire Way and Offa’s Dyke.

The whole circuit covers 23 miles, but is divided into roughly three-mile sections, allowing walkers either to complete the whole route in one go between May 16 and 29, spread it over two or three days, or choose which parts to sample. Last year, the youngest walker was 14 and the oldest 92.

Last year, comments from partipants incluided: "What a fab walk, 10 of us braved the heat to complete the whole route. We thoroughly enjoyed it and topped it off with a pint."

Another commenter said: "Some of us have recovered from blood cancer and others have lost friends or family so we are always keen to participate and support the charity whilst doing something we love."

A band of willing volunteers will produce maps and signs for the route, which is clearly marked with arrows during the fortnight of the walk. 

It costs £10 to enter, while a family entry of two adults and up to four children is £20. Under-16s can enter for free with an accompanying adult.

Money raised will go towards Blood Cancer UK and Friends of the Community College at Bishops Castle (CCBC).

In the battle to beat blood cancer, £10 buys a vital information booklet for 10 10 people newlty diagnosed with the illness, £100 pays for a researcher to analyse 120 blood cell samples, while £1,000 funds a research nurse for three days supporting patients testing new treatments.

Meanwhile, CCBC Friends have established a charity to fund items that are beyond the budget of the college but of significant benefit to student experience. Recent items include an electronic scan reader pens for students with special needs, a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award registration and subscriptions to support all eligible students to participate, and table tennis tables and outdoor shelters for students during break and lunchtimes.