Oh my goodness! I was just about to plan my comment about the Wilkes will and you mentioned it! It is still a tradition even today, outside the almshouses in Leighton, though not the whipping! Wilkes bequeathed a huge amount to charity, and the almshouses are still in use with almost the same rules as he laid down. Linslade also beats the bounds, though only along the boundary with Leighton. It starts at St Mary’s in Old Linslade and walks the path as close to the 966 Charter of Linchelade as possible. It also used to be the Beds/Bucks county boundary until 1967. Thank you for a lovely post!
Beating the Bounds...have you ever heard of the Pack Monday festival at Sherborne in Dorset? It also involves beating the Parish bounds, but it takes place in October and is meant to commemorate the finishing of construction of the Abbey. There is a street fair and a funfair, but at midnight the townsfolk would process round the town banging pots and pans...they were known as the Teddy Roe Band. It was still happening when I was a teenager in the 1970s, but I suspect it's been banned nowadays?
Lovely read Liz. Thanks. I have often wondered of the history of BTB. There are various events near me in Cheshire too.
It’s a remarkable survivor when you think about it.
Oh my goodness! I was just about to plan my comment about the Wilkes will and you mentioned it! It is still a tradition even today, outside the almshouses in Leighton, though not the whipping! Wilkes bequeathed a huge amount to charity, and the almshouses are still in use with almost the same rules as he laid down. Linslade also beats the bounds, though only along the boundary with Leighton. It starts at St Mary’s in Old Linslade and walks the path as close to the 966 Charter of Linchelade as possible. It also used to be the Beds/Bucks county boundary until 1967. Thank you for a lovely post!
Thank you Sarah. I'm so glad it's still going !
I have no idea about Rogation Day and was delighted to be enlightened!
Such fun: made-up history in the midst of the real thing!
I didn’t see Pitchi Poi but have never forgotten Cathy Come Home. Those plays made such an impact.
Beating the Bounds...have you ever heard of the Pack Monday festival at Sherborne in Dorset? It also involves beating the Parish bounds, but it takes place in October and is meant to commemorate the finishing of construction of the Abbey. There is a street fair and a funfair, but at midnight the townsfolk would process round the town banging pots and pans...they were known as the Teddy Roe Band. It was still happening when I was a teenager in the 1970s, but I suspect it's been banned nowadays?
Just reading your piece about Dick Crossmans wives. Heading over there now…
It’s still on! https://packmonday.com
I'm amazed, it was prone to trouble even 50 years ago...I see they've changed the route in the past
That’s fascinating! Like a cross between beating the bounds and riding the stang! I’ll see if I can find out more.