Beating the Bounds

 

 

around Leyton Marshes

 

Sunday 5th May 2013

Meet from 12.00 noon for lunch with willow-stripping and dressing

 

at the Hare & Hounds Pub, 278 Lea Bridge Rd  London E10 7LD

 

(affordably priced Sunday roasts, light meals and bar snacks are available)

 

or simply gather for the Beating the Bounds Community Procession
at 2.15pm in the Princess of Wales car park, by Lea Bridge, 146 Lea Bridge Rd  London, London E5 9RB

Many residents of Leyton, Walthamstow and Clapton will again be celebrating the ancient tradition of Beating the Bounds on Rogation Sunday, which in 2013 falls on 5th May.

Once a year, in many parts of England, local residents walk around defined areas of land to re-establish ancient rights of common or simply to mark significant boundaries, such as those of a Parish, Village Green or ancient Manor.  Before maps existed, this was done so that children could have important local landmarks pointed out to them.  Often this custom takes place during Rogationtide, when prayers used to be offered for the fertility of the land and a good harvest.  Stripped willow sticks, sometimes bedecked with flowers (especially milk-wort) and ribbons, are usually carried.  In some areas, girls have their fingers pricked and boys are beaten with sticks or thrown into hedges (we don’t do this!) or get turned upside-down over bridges and have their heads bumped on boundary markers ‘to imprint the location on their minds’! (This is done, but only with the child’s and carer’s permission).

Modern maps show many boundaries, but seldom mark the thousands of Common Lands in Britain which survive from the Middle Ages or before.  Even when they do, all too often our precious open spaces suffer encroachment or get built on.  This is a growing threat in Outer London.  By carrying on this ancient tradition we hope to encourage people to become more aware of and to care for our ancient green spaces and Lammas Lands.

Please wear stout, sensible footwear and suitable clothing.  Please bring a bottle of water to drink if the weather is warm.  Children and well-behaved dogs are very welcome!

The perambulation in the afternoon will be along the southern boundary of the Leyton Lammas Lands as they were in 1837, when Queen Victoria came to the throne, before the railway line and the filter beds were built on the marshes.  Boundsmen will follow the River Lea, crossing the railway line to pick up the Dagenham Brook which marked the boundary of the original Leyton Levels.  The distance is about two miles and the route is not difficult, but does involve several sets of steps so it is not suitable for heavy baby-buggies or for wheelchair users.

Fitter, intrepid and determined Boundsmen may also choose to continue along the more demanding route around the northern boundary of Leyton Marsh in the early evening, after a refreshment break. Note, on this occasion, this is not part of the official walk.

 Contact for further details telephone 07904159398

 

Proposed plans for public entertainment events on Hackney Marshes

Informal public consultation: 26 February to 23 April 2013

Hackney Council is to apply for Planning Inspectorate (PINS) consent to hold public entertainment events on Hackney Marshes. It has to apply to the Planning Inspectorate for any proposals affecting common land such as the Marshes.

If PINS permission is granted, it could have the flexibility to hold events on the Marshes for a limited time only. No events have been booked or scheduled.

Before making the application Hackney Council is informally consulting local residents and other interested parties to understand any issues and concerns.