In a message dated 22/11/2007 08:20:01 GMT Standard Time, [email protected] writes: have only seen one reply on the list, so have no idea what other people have said, however I would think that this could be to do with "beating the bounds" of the parish, also known as perambulation. Church Warden's accounts often refer to expenses incurred in perambulations. ______________________________________________________________________________ _______ Grassmen's Accounts.--Vol. 1. 1837 02 MAY , By Do for Boundary Cake, 5s. By Do for Drums & Wates, 5s. By Do for Two Hats & Two Ribbands to Run for at Bounders, 4s. By Do for Ale, Bread, & Chease for Bounders, 11s. 6d. By Do for Bounder Dinner, 1l. 1s. By Do for Priest, Clerk, Drummers, & Wates Dinner, 12s. By Do for Jingle Pot, 1s. These expenses were for the "beating the bounds" of the parish, or 'perambulation', which was a ritual processions when people would mark their parish boundaries, defining the community's identity against that of neighbouring parishes, and symbolising its own unity and charity. This took place at Rogationtide which is the three days preceding Ascension Day. The 30th April 1837 was Rogation Sunday, and 4th May was Ascension Day, so the 2nd. May in the Accounts was the Tuesday in Rogationtide. Stan