All invited to the historic Beating the Bounds ceremony on Sunday 10 May
Everyone is welcome to take part in the ancient custom of Beating the Bounds with the Mayor of St Albans City and District on Sunday 10 May.
The Mayor, Councillor Teresa Heritage, will lead a vibrant procession on a walk along the historic boundaries of the City.
Residents and visitors of all ages are invited to take part in the stroll which starts at 2pm at the puddingstone near the Waffle House in St Michael’s Village.
The traditional ceremony dates back almost 700 years to 1327 and involves walking along the 4.5-mile boundary of the City.
During the event, wands made of willow will be used to beat the ground at significant locations.
In the past, the ceremony was used for people to pass on knowledge of where the City’s boundaries lay and assert their rights as citizens.
Town crier Stephen Potter, Macebearer Matthew Barnes and the Mayor’s Chaplain, Revd Tim Vickers, will assist with the ceremony which is expected to attract several dozen people.
The walk will take around two hours and it is not necessary to complete the whole distance although those who do will be given a special Beating the Bounds certificate.
There will be short breaks at Stone Cross, near the Jolly Sailor, the car park opposite the White Hart Tap and at a signpost close to Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.
People are welcome to join the walk at these locations or anywhere else on the route.
The Mayor said:
I cannot wait for this occasion. I have been looking forward to Beating the Bounds since becoming Mayor last year and it will be one of the highlights of my civic year.
It is a wonderful, fun event - open to everyone - and I would urge people to put on their walking shoes and join us.
In doing so, they will be keeping alive a St Albans tradition that dates back centuries. We will be connecting with our past in a thoroughly enjoyable way.
The ceremony has its roots in a rebellion in medieval times against the authority of the established church.
Following a riot by the townspeople against the Abbot, 24 citizens walked around the town in 1327 to lay down its boundaries.
They declared their rights and freedoms within this area should be respected and their action has been celebrated ever since with the Beating the Bounds ceremony.
Photo: The Mayor, Councillor Teresa Heritage, with willow wands at the puddingstone.
Media Contacts: www.stalbans.gov.uk/news-and-whats