Beating the Bounds
On Wednesday 30th March 2005 members of the Rotary Club of Bodmin assisted Bodmin Town Council with their 'Beating the Bounds'.
This year is the Centenary of Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Bodmin invited local organisations to use this 'Beat' as a basis for sponsorship to their own funds.
The process was a mixture of community party and official ceremony, an event to be enjoyed by all.
The 2005 'Beat'
The 'Beaters' were blessed with dry weather and encouraged by a good turnout of supporters, over 200 hundred in total.
'Beat' Organiser Ivor Whiting (left) is seen here at the starting point with Rotarians John Drew (center) and Steve Winston (right).
The route taken was clockwise around Bodmin town marking the parish boundary as closely as possible. Much of the boundary passes over private land and the 'Beat' organisers are grateful for the permissions granted by the various private landowners. The total length of the 'Beat' was recorded by Rotarian Martin Taylor by GPS as 11.8 miles from the start at Callywith to the end at 'Nine Ashes' on the old A30.
The morning 'Beat' started at Callywith passing through Margate Bridge, Fletchers Bridge, Bazley's Barn, Halgavor and Tregullon with a well earned rest for pasties and refreshments at Blowinghouse. The afternoon 'Beat' continued towards St Lawrence and through Dunmere, Bodiniel and Penbugle, with a stop for more refreshments, ending at the Salting Pool just north of Callywith.
'Beat' supporters are seen here crossing open ground between St Lawrence and Dunmere.
At various halts the Town Crier made the traditional announcement, " Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Thus far extends the Ancient Borough of Bodmin. Oller! Boys Oller! " .
At some halts, new coins were thrown into the water for retrieval by children.
Town Mayor Councillor H G Vanderwolfe is seen here throwing the coins at Fletcher's Bridge.
The route passes close by the Bodmin & Wenford Steam Railway at St Lawrence.
At the close of the 'Beat' the Mayor of Bodmin Councillor H G Vanderwolfe, assisted by Rotary President Peter Old, commenced the traditional 'Hurl' by throwing a silver ball into the Salting Pool.
Runners competed to carry the ball from the Salting Pool via old A30, old Callywith Road, Castle Street, Church Square & Honey Street to the Turret Clock, Fore Street. The carrier received a £10 reward from the Mayor. Does anyone know the winner's name?
Below, The 'Beat' supporters await the 'Hurl' to commence.
A short history of 'Beating'
In the mists of time, family groups would have spread out from their initial settlement, clearing the wild wood as they went with fire and flint axe, and cultivating the virgin soil. Eventually they would have run up against the neighbouring community, coming the other way. The need for a recognised territorial boundary was thus born.
Natural features such as rock outcrops, streams and solitary trees were often used as boundary markers. To avoid boundary disputes, it was important that the location of the boundary line was understood. Before the coming of the Ordnance Survey, with its precise maps in the nineteenth century, the position of town and parish boundaries were passed on by word of mouth. Often this was not enough, and recourse was had to the process of the ‘Beating of the Bounds'.