News from the authors and team behind Balsham, a village story 1617-2017, published on 2nd November 2017.
We're also planning the next Great Balsham Boundary Walk. It's on the Sunday 10th September 10am, starting from the Church Institute where you'll need to register and collect a map. We're also seeking marshalls and volunteers to help us, contact us if you're interested.
To download a sponsor form click here
You can also print out a poster and share on social media or in your workplace or community venue here.
Beating the Bounds is a custom dating from Anglo Saxon times and still enshrined by law to permit the priest and church wardens accompanied by the young boys of the parish to beat the parish boundary markers (and also sometimes the boys themselves!) with green willow boughs to make them remember. The event, usually held in Rogation Week, was to ensure that the boundary knowledge was passed on to younger generations and that land had not been taken by the neighbours thus reducing the taxes payable to the church. Prayers and blessings for the lands and harvest were part of the custom and accompanied by much revelry and celebrations. Since 1860 the Bounds can only be legally beaten every third year or longer.
It was quickly decided that we didn’t need to beat young boys and a simple clockwise perambulation of the boundary would make a great day’s walk and so the Great Balsham Boundary Walk was born. Peter, with his local farming knowledge, was the key player in contacting local land owners to seek their permission to walk the boundary over their land.
After many months of planning, finally, on Sunday Sept 6th in glorious weather 107 walkers (and over 20 dogs!) Beat our Parish Boundary to raise money for the toilets and community room in Holy Trinity Church and to support the Balsham 1617 Map Project. This project will celebrate in 2017 the first detailed map of the village compiled in 1617 by publishing a commemorative historical book for every household in the village. Walkers were across the full age range with many coming from Balsham but there were also good numbers from adjoining villages who had seen our posters.
The boundary of the parish is over 13 miles long, encompasses sections of the Fleam Dyke and the Roman Road and on that sunny day gave stunning views over Cambridgeshire with the unique opportunity to walk over private land and also visit the highest point in the county!
There were three walks of differing lengths all starting at the Institute and more than 25 walkers completed the full distance with the fastest taking well under 5 hours . The entire route was off road and was signed and marshalled by volunteers with the use of radios from the Cambridgeshire Raynet Group.
The organisers are especially grateful to all those who took part either walking or in the many supportive roles and in particular those landowners whose land the parish boundary crosses and not least of all those sponsors in time and money – their contributions made this event such a success. The total raised to date exceeds £1300.
Dick Paden
12th Sept 2015
It is the night before the walk and tomorrow promises to be a fine day, this from the BBC Weather:
Dry for most with variable amounts of cloud and some sunshine. With light winds, it will feel quite warm in the sunshine:
We would like to say thanks to our supporters and helpers:
Rotary Club of Sawston for signage and hi-vis clothing
Cambridge Raynet Group for safety radios and advice
Alan's Ark for dog treats
Black Bull for sponsoring route maps
Cheffins for providing refreshments
and our advertisers:
Squeaky Mouse
Dramawise Sawston
Capri Blinds
Reardon and Co Chartered Accountants
Alex Talbot Tree Surgeon
Most of all you, for taking part! Do post your photos on Twitter and tag or follow us @BalshamMap.
We are busy planning the walk on Sunday 6th September. You'll see posters going up very soon in the area. You can download a copy here to put in your window, office or social area by clicking here.
You'll also find a copy of the sponsorship form in the centre pages of The Balsham Review, thank you so much to the Review team for helping with this.
