Out of those who took part, 44 people finished the whole 12 mile route within seven hours. The event started at Poor Bridge with the Vicar of Clavering, Rev Duncan McGuffie blessing the walk. The route then took the walkers along paths, tracks and lanes along or near the parish boundary as described in an account recorded in the parish vestry records in 1823. Wherever the Clavering boundary touched another of the eight adjoining parishes, the walkers stopped for a bounds ceremony to take place. These included histories of the neighbouring parishes, verses from the Psalms and the up-ending of various child volunteers by their parents – the origin of the ‘beating’ of the bounds.

In times past this was intended to impress on the younger members of the parish the exact location of the boundary. The boundary walk has become a ten-yearly tradition in Clavering, having been last performed for the Millennium.

In spite of hail, rain and strong winds, there was plenty of sunshine too. All the children who volunteered with great enthusiasm to be up-ended and ceremonially 'beaten' on the boundary, were given a certificate by the walk organiser, Peter Cooper. The event was voted a huge success and it is hoped that the ancient tradition can take place again in ten years' time. Our special thanks to the catering teams and volunteer marshalls and those who took part in the bounds ceremonies, especially the children.