Bishop begins 330 mile pilgrimage

Bishop Peter started his journey climbing Glastonbury's 518ft Tor

The Bishop of Bath and Wells is undertaking a marathon 330 mile walk around his diocese, to mark the 1100th year of its existence.

The Rt Revd Peter Price says he hopes to meet thousands of people on his travels and learn about their concerns.

"Peter's Progress" as the walk has been dubbed will be completed in two months, walking every other day.

The Bishop started his walk on Bank Holiday Monday by scaling Glastonbury Tor in Somerset.

Abbey

In scaling the steep-sided hill, Bishop Price was accompanied by schoolchildren from St Benedict's Church of England School in the town and dozens of well-wishers from the diocese.

His trek will end in Glastonbury on 4 July, with a celebration when the Bishop walks to the Abbey.

Bishop Price, who has been in training for the journey, says he views the exercise as a kind of pilgrimage.

"Normally I am like everyone else: I rush about, often by car or train, and never get to see the places I pass, or meet the people who live there. This is going to be different."