On Wednesday, 24 August, an ancient tradition will be observed by Richmond Town Council dating back to 1576 and a charter of Elizabeth I.
Cllr Oliver Blease, the Mayor of Richmond, will take part in the “Septennial Boundary Riding”. The Boundary Riding’s original intention was to identify the boundary of the township and proclaim it. Although now no longer strictly necessary, over 500 people – and sometimes closer to 1000 – have taken part in the Boundary Ridings in recent years.
This traditional event will begin at 8:30am with the assembly of the robed procession outside Richmond Town Hall in the Market Place. The procession will start at the Green Bridge (the ancient road to Lancaster) at 9:00am and will be led by the Bearer of the Banner and followed by two Halberdiers and two Sergeants at Mace who are there to protect the Mayor.
The Mayor will be accompanied by the Pinder and the Town Clerk and will be robed and carrying his own silver mace. Before the walk commences, the Bellman will make the first proclamation, a claim against Hipswell and Hudswell:
“Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! I do in the name of the Mayor and Burgesses of Richmond, the Lords of the Manor and the Town of Richmond in the county of North Yorkshire, hereby proclaim and declare this to be the ancient and undoubted boundary of the said Manor and Town against the Manors or Lordships of Hipswell and Hudswell. God Save the Queen and the Lords of the Manors.”
Immediately afterwards, five new pence (which have been acquired from the Royal Mint especially will be distributed randomly).
Robes will then be removed and the walk will commence. The Pinder will lead the 14 mile walk from the Green Bridge, and tradition states that nobody may walk ahead of him.
This year, Robert Chandler will lead the Boundary Ridings for the 4th time. Robert’s father, a previous holder of the post of Pinder, led five processions.
Robert says: “I first participated in the Boundary Riding in my mid-teens. I have photographs of my father leading the Boundary Riding – when he was originally Pinder he wore a suit and trilby for the walk. Now it’s a much more relaxed event, and always wonderful to lead so many people on what is an enjoyable day out.”
Originally responsible in the town for impounding stray cattle, the Pinder carries an axe on the procession to move any obstruction to the Riding’s progress. Robert will be carrying an axe which was given to him in 1990 by Mrs Win Chandler, Robert’s wife.
There are lots of customary events which will take place at various stages of the walk, including the Mayor throwing a stone at Sandford House over the stableyard wall (hopefully not repeating the 1997 episode when the stone smashed the window of a nearby cottage!), and the carrying of the Mayor at Lownethwaite Bridge into the water.
The walk should take until 4.30pm approximately, and whilst most of it is easy going, there are some testing parts. All those who complete the walk can sign the Roll which will then be locked away with the historic records.
This ancient tradition of Boundary Riding took place in England from the Thirteenth century in a variety of forms to ensure that the boundaries of the parish remained intact with no unauthorised buildings or any encroachment from nearby landowners. Landmarks were created to mark the parish boundaries, and the story goes that young children were thrashed at each landmark to make sure they did not forget where the boundary lay – hence the term “Beating the Boundary”.
The event is free of charge. Members of the public are invited to follow the main procession on Wednesday, 24 August from Richmond’s Town Hall at 8.30am. Alternatively, you can join the 14-mile walk at the Green Bridge from around 8.45am. Refreshments will be available to purchase at roughly half-way, whilst water will also be provided. Guide dogs are allowed on the walk (please contact Richmond Town Hall beforehand to advise) but no other dogs can attend.
For other Yorkshire Dales events this summer, see the Reeth Show, or next spring’s Dales Festival of Food & Drink.
And for Yorkshire Dales cottages or Richmond guest houses, check out the holiday accommodation on Hello Yorkshire.