REVD FATHER Michael Gollop and Revd Father Mark Zorab were joined by members of the Five-Ways parish to revive the ancient tradition of ‘beating the bounds’ on Rogation Sunday, 1st May.

A route was walked between the churches, and the parish boundaries were beaten with birch branches before being blessed. This was the first time the ceremony had taken place in the parish for over 30 years. It is said to bring good luck to the agricultural community for the following year.

The parish includes St Deiniol Church in Itton, St Arvans Church, St Mary’s Church in Penterry, St James’ Church in Devauden and the Church of the Holy Cross in Kilgwrrwg.

Father Michael, the Vicar of St Arvans said:

“It’s a tradition that goes right back before the middle ages, surviving the reformation. Rogation Sunday, as the 5th Sunday after Easter, is typically in the middle of Spring, so essentially the idea of it was to transfer gospel readings to the rural economy. During the ‘beating of the bounds’, crops, animals, and labourers were all blessed.

“But in the days before land registries and maps, sharing the knowledge of the parish’s boundaries was an important aspect of the walk.

“It was a chance to clear any obstacles, move any landmarks, and pass on the knowledge of the boundary to the next generation .

“This was important as the parish functioned in those days as more like a local government, in charge of almshouses and local relief.

“We’re hoping to make it an annual event, and hoping next year to be a bit warmer!”