Beating the Bounds of Berkshire

Beating the Bounds is an ancient custom observed in many English parishes. The community would walk the boundaries of the parish to share the knowledge of where the boundaries lay, and to pray for protection and blessings for the lands.

Between the 2nd & 10th of May 2009, members of the public will have the opportunity to stroll around part or even all of the boundaries of Berkshire whilst raising funds for AGE CONCERN Berkshire and their own chosen charities.

This event is something the whole family can participate in, with walks ranging from 4 miles to 10 miles. Many stages take place on traffic - free routes, tow paths and long distance footpaths.

To make the event more interesting I have written historical notes for each stage, to be distributed to walkers.

For example the ancient Ostrich Inn in Colnbrook (Stage 17-10th May) had a C16th landlord, who murdered 60 of his guests by tipping them from their bed into a vat of boiling water.

At Bockhampton near Lambourn,(Stage 9 -6th May) the Lord of the Manor had to perform the following service for the king to retain his Manor - saltum; subsaltum et bombulum, which translates as a hop, skip and a fart. For the kids over the bank holiday week-end, there will be a Treasure trail and other entertainments are planned.

The Duke of Edinburgh is our Patron and will start the walk in person on Saturday 2nd May at 9.30am in Windsor (just inside the entrance to the Long Walk from Sheet Street. My wife will be High Sheriff by May and as Vice-Patron will be walking some of the stages. DG Malcolm will also be joining us so we should obtain good publicity for Rotary.

I will be drawing up rotas of volunteers to help with registration and driving duties and if your Club is interested in becoming involved in the project in any way, do please get in touch,

More information can be found on the "Beating the Bounds" Mini-site.