Breezy fresh sunshine interspersed with rain clouds rolling across the sky was the backdrop for our “Beating the Bounds” parish walk on Bank Holiday Monday. We avoided any raindrops until the last few moments when The Crown came back into view.
In all, seventeen bank holiday walkers set off from the village via Drury Lane and then in a south-easterly direction across the wheat fields of the airfield. At the eastern parish boundary, they regrouped and enjoyed a short talk on the history and purpose of Beating the Bounds (to remind parishioners of the boundaries of their parish in the days before maps and iPhones). This was given by our very own High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Nicholas Buxton. He also gave an interesting introduction into the history and current role of High Sheriff. Happily he doesn’t wield all the powers which went with the post originally, inaugurated nearly 1100 years ago by King Edgar when St Dunstan was Archbishop of Canterbury.
Those in shorts might have regretted their clothing choice on a couple of nettle-y occasions, but the varied walk, through woodland, past farms and a gorgeous pond and ultimately down Paddy’s Way, led us to the western boundary and a stop for cake and tea and coffee “al fresco.” There, we heard from our vicar, Mark Dunstan, on the background to Rogationtide which is the time of year when Beating the Bounds traditionally took place. We are, no doubt, all familiar with expressing thanks for the harvest with “Harvest Festival” services, but perhaps less aware of Rogationtide which is the season for parishioners to pray to God for the growth of the crops. Often, parishioners would parade around the fields asking for God’s blessing. Accordingly, it makes sense that the two traditions be combined into one walk – “Beating the Bounds at Rogationtide.” In light of this, Mark led the crowd in a short prayer that the fields would be fruitful and that God would bless the residents of the parish.
As the rain started, it was perhaps a fitting answer to our prayer and to those of any farmers and perhaps many gardeners in the area with their parched land after weeks of dry weather.
We hope to Beat the Bounds again. Perhaps we will travel a new route next time, taking in different parts of the parish boundary, a new al fresco coffee spot and fewer nettles (or maybe just not shorts!).
Thank you to all who came and to Jack Pitman and Chris Kitts for organising it.
