Cheshire Memories: Children bumped on boundary stones as part of annual tradition

By Ellesmere Port Pioneer on Apr 16, 09 12:18 PM in 2000 onwards

YOUNGSTERS have been bumped on boundary stones as part of an annual Cheshire tradition that dates back hundreds of years.

The 'beating of the bounds' was carried out by the Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Brian Bailey, the Ellesmere Port and Neston mayor, Cllr Keith Butcher and Vale Royal mayor, Cllr Malcolm Gaskill.

The four children who joined them were Emma Lilico, Daniel and Max Dagnall and Ciera Nelson.

The original purpose of the ceremony was to remind people of towns and villages about the extent of their boundaries, in the days before precise map-making.

As part of the tradition, the four children were ceremoniously bumped on each boundary stone, while the head of property and project management services tapped each stone down with a ceremonial rod to establish its setting.

At each stone, the mayor announced: "I, the mayor of the city of Chester, do hereby set this stone and declare it well and truly laid to mark the boundary of the city and county of the city of Chester at this point. God save the Queen."

Despite the recent councils shake-up, the traditional ceremony is expected to be continued next year.

Comments (0)