Centuries of tradition return to Llantrisant this year when thousands will flock to the hilltop town to celebrate the Beating the Bounds ceremony.
Held every seven years, Beating the Bounds is a seven mile walk around the boundary of the ancient borough covered by a Royal Charter which dates back to 1346.
It was from this Charter that the Freemen of Llantrisant were born, a tradition that exists to this day with thousands of men who inherited the right through their family lineage scattered throughout the world.
In celebrations of their ancient rights to graze cattle on common lands of Llantrisant, the Freemen, local residents and visitors from far and wide will join the march from the old town to neighbouring Cross Inn before embarking on the lengthy boundary walk.
Organised by Llantrisant Town Trust – who manage the rights of the Freemen – in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Beating the Bounds takes place on Saturday June 12th 2010. Supporters of the tradition have previously traveled from as far as the USA, Canada, South Africa and Australia to attend the magnificent event.
The fun-filled family day involves choirs, brass bands, art competitions, street magicians and plenty of entertainment from start to finish.
Primary schools in the area are already showing their support for the day by rehearsing their children’s choirs which will perform on a large marquee erected on the castle green in the shadow of the 13th century castle ruins.
An art competition will also be held for schoolchildren during the day and performances will be given by Llantrisant Male Choir.
Following a service at Llantrisant Parish Church the procession, led by the RAF St Athan Volunteer Band, will walk through the old town to nearby Cross Inn. It is there that another historic tradition takes place.
One of the stones marking the ancient borough exists in the garden of a private property in the village and it is here that young boys will be softly “bounced” by the Freemen. The tradition began as a reminder to the youngsters of where the boundaries of their borough existed.
The Beating the Bounds walk – which is open to all – continues to Brynteg, across Llantrisant Common to the border of Ynysmaerdy, through to Talbot Green and back to Llantrisant old town.
The procession will be led by a Freeman holding the 17th century Town Mace – older than the one used in the House of Commons.
Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation Cllr Robert Bevan said: “As the oldest community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Llantrisant’s historic past is one of the jewels in the county borough’s crown.
“Beating the Bounds celebrates these ancient traditions and we are supporting Llantrisant Town Trust to ensure that this year’s event is bigger and better than ever.”
Clerk to Llantrisant Town Trust Howard Thomas explained: “Beating the Bounds is part of the very fabric of Llantrisant and as it’s held every seven years we are always assured of a major celebratory event.
“In 2003 the many thousands of people who visited the town was a testament to its ongoing success and resulted in one of the most spectacular days in the history of Llantrisant.
“Therefore the forthcoming Beating the Bounds is an event the Freemen, the residents and the many visitors to the town are looking forward to with great excitement and expectation.”
Beating the Bounds originated in Llantrisant centuries ago. The seven-mile walk around the boundary of the ancient borough marks the area covered by the 1346 Charter. It was within this area that the Freemen could trade freely.
The walk around the borough boundaries was held to ensure anyone who was not a Freemen wasn’t trading within the boundary line free of charge. The walk leads to the most southerly point of the boundary at Cross Inn, then north to the furthest point at Talyfedw Farm, before returning to the old town via Talbot Green.
Maen Llwyd is the stone found in a garden of a cottage in Cross Inn, while Maen Brych can be found in the land adjacent to Talyfedw Farm. The young sons or grandsons of Freemen, are bumped on their buttocks to remind them of where the boundaries occur.
Both points are marked by a boundary stone, which are named in the 1630 survey of the town.
Today Freemen will cross streams, main roads, a golf course, the Royal Mint, the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and also through farmhouses and people’s living rooms!
On the walk, according to custom, money was thrown into the streams and ponds by the Freemen for the young boys to dive in or wade in to recover.
