The 2007 "Perambulation"

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This ancient custom, once an essential part of community life throughout Britain and still flourishing here andthere in various modified forms, has a long and complexhistory.
One of its component parts, the tradition ofholding processions about the fields to sing psalms andchant prayers (Latin: rogationes) for God's protectionon crops, beasts and people, originated during a periodof prolonged natural disasters in mid-5th-centuryFrance.
Practised on ASCENSION DAY or the three daysimmediately beforehand (hence known as 'Rogationtide') by the 8th century this had spread to Britain:where it soon merged with an already long-establishedcustom of fixing territorial boundaries by ceremoniallywalking them annually, preceded by a cross, banner or holy relic, on 'Cross' or 'Ganging' (Old English: 'going' or 'walking') Days.
Crop blessing and boundary processing were thereafter performed during the same ceremony: but after the Reformation - when the former part of the observance fell under suspicion of being 'Popish' or merely 'superstitious' - 'walking the bounds' became much the more important element, and has generally remained so ever since.
Parish clergy, nevertheless, have always played a leading (and legitimizing) part in perambulations.
At each boundary marker - be it an inscribed stone, a wall plaque or, in country districts, a stream, boulder or other natural feature - they recite a suitable passage from Scripture: often 'Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark' (Deuteronomy 27.17).
At certain traditionally fixed intervals along the way, moreover, they lead the singing of Psalms (generally the 100th, 103rd and 104th) and read the Rogationtide Gospel: this being often done at ancient trees called 'Gospel Oaks', whose memory is preserved in many place names.
These, too, were frequently the scenes of 'cakes and ale' feasts, when 'Ganging beer' and 'Rammalation biscuits' (provided in some places by CHARITIES) were consumed amid much jollity by the whole company of 'processioners'.
Yet 'processioning' - widely corrupted, significantly, to 'possessioning' - was not merely a religious duty, an excuse for a junket, or a pleasant springtime walk. For it also fulfilled the vital function of ensuring that no land-hungry neighbouring village or expansionist farmer had encroached upon the bounds of the parish, thus depriving the entire community of some outlying fishpond, COMMON LAND grazing, or firewood-yielding copse essential for its welfare.
Behind vicar and parish constable, therefore, marched men armed with axes and crowbars, ready to smash any 'false stones, cunningly erected', dig in new markers, or demolish 'unlicensed fences enclosing the township's grazing'.
Perhaps regrettably - because the arbitrary seizure of commons isby no means unknown today!.



What a wonderful parish occasion this was, with members of the village community, young and old, taking part! I had made other arrangements for the afternoon, but imagined that the whole 7-mile walk would be done and dusted by lunchtime.
How wrong I was! We had to climb over hedges, under barbed wire and electric fences and across water-filled ditches.
We also discovered that someone had built a motorway in the middle of the parish and we had to keep avoiding it.
At the end of the morning we stopped to consume a most welcome meal at the home of Martin and Gwen Blake.
After lunch many of the morning walkers, plus some fresh recruits, pressed on, already dreaming of the delicious tea whichwould await them at the Ethertons at Marlands.
Thank you to the Parish Room Committee and the Parish Council for organising such an enjoyable day
Christopher.
Margaret and John would like to thankeveryone who made the day the successit was especially Martin and Gwen Blakefor hosting our lunch time break in theirlovely garden and Peter and Ann Ethertonfor the raspberries and cream tea atMarlands.
Also Phillip and Rob who didsterling job in leading the walk along withMaurice who carried the ladder for theentire seven miles.
Peter Bowler is producing a new page on theparish website with photographs of theday together with information about thisancient custom. (see link at top of this page!, psb)www.sampfordarundel.org.uk.
We will do it again; you have seven yearsto recover!

Phillip Popplestone, who led the walk checks a fence, watched by Rev Christopher Rowley-----
----and gives a helping hand to a young parishioner!
Anthony Budgett and Rowland Milton	Edith Tucker and Alice Popplestone