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Beating The Bounds INFORMATION The ancient tradition of `Beating the Bounds` , which took place on May 7th, goes back many hundreds of years and is mentioned in the laws of King Alfred and King Athelstan. In times when maps were rare, it was important for villagers to know their parish boundaries and to be able to find the boundary stones or markers. Thus once a year, the priest and parish officials would lead the boys of the village on a walk or `perambulation` along the outskirts of the parish. The boys carried green boughs or willow wands to beat on the boundary markers and it was also sometimes customary for the boys to receive a `beating` themselves to ensure they remembered each place. In this way they, in due course would pass on the information to their own children and so the boundaries remained safe. The custom may have been derived from the Roman festival of Terminus, the god of landmarks, to whom cakes and wine were offered, with sports and games taking place at the boundaries. In England a `feast of ale` traditionally followed the `perambulation` thus assuring its continued popularity!!!
The Mayor Dave Bond and the Lady Mayoress enjoy the walk Hanwell Carnival & Show organised this very popular sponsored walk again on Monday 7th May 2001. Your support was greatly appreciated for this event. The walk was achieved by adults meeting at the Fox Public House at 1.00 p.m. to undertake the entire boundary walk and children could start from St Mary’s Church at 2.00 p.m. for a partial boundary walk. Almost everyone finished at The Fox Public House where there was live music and a Bar-B-Que Sponsorship forms were available from Hanwell Library or The Fox Public House, Green Lane, Hanwell. All money raised went towards Hanwell Carnival & Show or by Pressing This Link.
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