Many residents of Leyton, Walthamstow and Clapton will again be celebrating the ancient tradition of Beating the Bounds on Rogation Sunday, which in 2014 falls on 25th 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!