Like last year, we’re planning to re-create the ancient practice of ‘Beating the Bounds’ on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May.
We were joined on our walk last year by the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire. During the course of the year, he visited lots of charities around the county whose work involves providing Nurture through Nature. At the end of the year, he organised a lecture by Professor Baroness Kathy Willis on a related theme. She spoke about how our interaction with nature heals us, and how science and protecting urban green spaces create healthier, more resilient and sustainable communities. It was a fascinating lecture, and one which spoke plainly of the benefits of getting out into the open countryside. We are therefore pleased to be coordinating this super-beneficial community event!
‘Beating the Bounds’ is an ancient tradition dating back to before William the Conqueror. Before maps were commonplace, it was a way of marking the perimeters of parishes, enabling the knowledge of those important boundaries (which determined issues such as where parishioners could graze their livestock) to be passed on from generation to generation. It generally took place during ‘Rogation tide’, a time when crops were blessed (at the end of May). There’s a bit more information about the historic practice here.
Walking the entire Parish boundary would take 6-8 hours and follow some very twisty routes over private land…so our walk, all along public footpaths, is as follows:
- Meet at the Crown public house at 10am.
- We will then arrange transport for everyone, including dogs, to the car park at Roydon station (we have a minibus and several people carriers).
- We will walk the western boundary of the parish, following the Harcamlow Way for some of the walk, back to the Crown.
- There will be a stop to look at a WW2 memorial, a refreshment stop and we will pause to pray for the parish at a point where we actually cross the parish boundary.
- The walk is 3.3 miles and should take between 1hr 15min and 1hr 30min depending on how gently we take it. Including time for stops, we should hopefully be back at the Crown between 12-12.30pm.
We will try to walk roughly together, so no-one gets left behind. This is also good for conversation and making acquaintances – another benefit for the community.
Dogs on leads are very welcome, indeed, they are encouraged!
Let us know you’re coming by booking (free) via our event calendar here.
