KINGTON Walking Festival committee took to a hillside overlooking Hergest Court, to hold its latest meeting.

Eight members, preparing for the sixth annual festival in September, took their seats with a view on the top of the Twt, at the edge of town.

The group has previously held meetings at Hergest Ridge, Bradnor Hill and the Dolyhir Quarry.

This year’s festival boasts several new walks and its first ever cycle event, all detailed in the just-published brochure.

The Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail, the Herefordshire Trail, Mortimer Trail from Ludlow, and the Wyche Way from Broadway all pass through (or start/finish) in the town.

The Kington Walking Festival, takes place from September 21 until 24 and is the primary annual event of the Kington Walks charity.

This year the programme contains over 40 walks covering history, natural history, geology, industry, pubs, landscape and Kington’s hinterland.

New this year is a two day circular walk from Clun, with an overnight stay in Bishops Castle, and an event for the less able bodied called ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’.

In addition to the ever popular Eight Peaks Challenge, with the support of Red Kite Fostering, the festival introduces the Three Peaks Challenge.

On September 24 the festival hosts the Walton Wobbler - the first ever cycle event, over about 30 miles, including the high points to the north of Kington with some stiff climbs and descents.

A foraging event will also be held with author Adele Nozedar, covering the free food hidden in lanes and hedgerows.

And if you have still got energy to burn there will also be lively music and dancing to Little Rumba.

They successfully applied for ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ status for the town in the same year.

For more information and to book walks visit: http://www.kingtonwalks.org.