Wild About New Ash Green
February
Beating the Bounds
Beating the Bounds is an ancient English tradition, often held during Rogationtide, where community members walk the perimeter of their parish to define and bless its boundaries. Participants, traditionally led by clergy and children, use willow wands to beat boundary markers, such as trees or stones, to ensure knowledge of these limits is passed down.
We are holding our own Beating the Bounds walk on 8th February. Meet outside the Royal Oak pub at 10am. the walk will follow the perimeter of the village. Prepare to be surprised by hidden areas that you may never have seen. Go to Events if you wish to RSVP.
Key Aspects of Beating the Bounds:
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Purpose: Historically, this practice was vital for maintaining the knowledge of parish boundaries before modern mapping, ensuring boundaries were not moved.
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Method: Participants walk the parish boundary line, stopping at landmarks to strike them with wands, and sometimes offering prayers for protection.
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Traditions: In some areas, younger participants are "bumped" (had their heads or bottoms gently bumped) on boundary stones to firmly fix the location in their memory.
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Occurrence: The event typically takes place around Rogation Sunday (the fifth Sunday after Easter) or Ascension Day.
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Modern Day: While no longer strictly necessary for mapping, the custom is still observed in many parishes as a community-building event.
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Example: The All Hallows by the Tower in London performs this ceremony, which includes a boat trip to mark the boundary in the Thames.
October
An update on how the wildflower verges have fared over this long hot, dry summer plus some wildlife to look out for in the village this autumn.
There are 12 wildflower verges around the village and it’s fascinating watching how the different verges evolve. We sowed lots of native wildflower seed five years ago, but the really exciting thing is how many unexpected species have also moved in – “if you build it, they will come” definitely rings true in the world of wildflowers! On the guided walks we led in June we found early purple and pyramidal orchids had invited themselves into our wild patches. And alongside Field Scabious, Lady’s Bedstraw and Yellow rattle, we also found Fairy Flax, Centaury and wild carrot. Sticking with the old adage, we made hay while the sun shone in August – getting the verges cut and raked before the good weather started to break down. Our teams got stuck in and made light work of all the cutting and clearing.
It’s always a perfect time to enjoy New Ash Green’s wildlife. As autumn settles in, the village is alive with seasonal sights and sounds. Evenings echo with the rhythmic chirping of the Dark Bush Cricket, thriving in bramble and hawthorn hedgerows. Pause at dusk and their chorus will accompany your walk. Not all flowers are gone — Ivy blooms now provide vital nectar for late pollinators like the Peacock Butterfly and the Ivy Bee, which feeds solely on ivy. The village’s orchard and meadow also shine at this time of year. The hundred-year-old apple trees still bear fruit, a feast for thrushes — Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, and Song Thrush. Look for them among the branches or feeding on fallen apples. Along woodland edges, they turn to bright hawthorn berries, adding splashes of red to the autumn landscape. Take a moment to slow down, notice the season’s shift, and share your sightings on Wild About New Ash Green Facebook group.
