Beating the Bounds

Claire

"Here's a stone & there's a stone,
Our boundaries they span well;
They stand erect and they protect,
The lovely parish of Hanwell"

It was a privilege to join for this year's Beating the Bounds tour of Hanwell on the sunny May bank holiday weekend, with Mike Gahan and Hanwell residents.

Hanwell has such a rich and deep history with many traditions, the Beating the Bounds among them. Along each stop on this 8 mile route, Mike taught us something new about Hanwell and why the border stone was placed there. Mike sang a verse from the Stones of Hanwell at each marker, with Steve Pound making sure that we were well versed on the chorus with rehearsals in between!

From allotments to back gardens and riverbanks, boundary stones are tucked away all around the ancient parish and each one is a hidden gem you might miss if you didn't know what you were looking for. The boundary markers have stood in the same spot for centuries, marking the route around Hanwell - long before Google Maps came along!

In a busy world, and after so much time on Zoom in recent years, it was very grounding to trace an old track, walking and talking and following the footsteps of those who've gone before. It's a credit to the Hanwell Carnival Committee who keep it on the map and celebrate it annually. If you've not joined for it before - save the date now for May Bank Holiday 2023!

Richard

Hanwell deserves national recognition for upholding a quirky and previously vital ancient tradition. Once an annual ceremony in most British towns and villages since Anglo-Saxon times, Beating the Bounds is now a critically endangered ritual. So kudos to Hanwell for its devotion to keeping it alive. And it's the reason my wife and I travelled from Oxford to support Hanwell's yearly custom.

Traditionally held in May, this public event encompasses a calf muscle-challenging 8 mile walk around Hanwell to thrash the remaining old boundary stones with willow wands. Trust me, there is a purpose to this - no matter how oddly passers-by look at us.

The custom predates maps. Hence it was vitally important that the parish's priest and elders led their population along the marked boundaries each year, to ensure they knew exactly where their parish ended. This ensured taxation and welfare could be applied to their jurisdiction only, and settle any territorial disputes. Not as we’re suggesting for a moment that Hanwell once harboured suspicions towards Brentford folk - although the route does include the site of an old gallows (now disappointingly lost to the M4). Mercifully it also includes two pubs.

It makes for a great day out, provides an opportunity to meet some lovely people, gain exercise, become surprised at how charmingly green this area of West London is (the sign in pretty Bittern's Field illustrates the wildlife to be found there, though disappointingly doesn't include a bittern!). Plus hear Hanwell's history by word and song from group leader Mike Gahan. All are welcome in 2023 - including Oxonians and Brentfordians.

Richard O'Smith is the author of The Best Ladled Pans of Rice & Penne

Daisy

Daisy (aged 11) tells us about this year's walk:

The Beating the Bounds walk is an 8 mile walk around the boundary of the parish of Hanwell where you look for the remaining boundary stones!

When I went on it before, I never finished it. This year, I decided to challenge myself to complete the whole thing!

It started at the Viaduct pub and we all collected our willow sticks. After a bit of walking along the canal we stopped at our first stone. It was old and grey and engraved on it was a date, dating right back to the 1800s. At each stone a humerous song was sung by our leader and its tune made us all feel like we were part of the Hanwell community.

At the end, we all joined in and sang: “And here's a stone and there's a stone at the boundaries of Hanwell. They stand erect and will protect the boundaries of Hanwell…” Afterwards, we would all tap the stone with our sticks and carry on walking. We made sure to keep all the West Ealing people out 🙂!

We walked in a wide variety of places: parks, streets and beside the canal. We saw plenty of wildlife too: very tall heron, perched on a piece of wood, a swan guarding its nest of sticks, and lots of coots, bobbing up and down. At one point in the walk, we were walking in a lovely area of woodland and meadows. The birdsong of robins and chiffchaffs filled our ears as we strolled through the lush grass.

At the end, I was so exhausted that I flopped on the grass. I enjoyed the walk and would really recommend it to people who love walking and wildlife!!!