Beating the Bounds
“Beating the bounds” was the custom of defining the boundaries of a parish by a procession walking round it hitting the ground with sticks.
This event for Milford took place on 6 May 1891 for the first time since 1838, following a Church vestry resolution. A party of about 70 set out at the shore by Rookcliffe at 10 a.m. and had perambulated every part of the boundary by 5.20 p.m. (except for a small piece by Priestlands where the landowner refused access). Sixteen finished the course and the Church bells were rung in celebration.
Several adventures took place during the walk and the map was occasionally found lacking because boundary hedges and ditches had been levelled.
In the article cited below the route is described in words but there is no accompanying sketch map.
Links
http://www.englandinparticular.info/calendar/c-rogtide.html
References
Rev. H. E. U. Bull, “Beating the Bounds of Milford”, Occasional Magazine Vol.1 No.1 (August 1909) by pp.27-31
Records
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