Proclamations, coins and a mayor in a river: Town marks ancient tradition

The mayor of Richmond entered the River Swale to officially declare the boundary of the town secure

It is a sunny summer morning in a North Yorkshire market town, where more than 600 people have gathered to keep an ancient tradition alive.

The Richmond Boundary Walk, dating back to 1576, sees members of the local community, led by the town mayor, walk the boundary of the North Yorkshire town every seven years.

Together, they walk 14 miles, with the town crier making up to 18 proclamations along the route.

"Originally it was held so that the mayor and burgesses of the town could ensure that nobody had built over the boundary, therefore taking land that belonged to them," explained town clerk Heather Lawler.

She led the organisation of Wednesday's event, including meeting those who now privately own land included in the boundary route.

Traffic management teams also stop vehicles to allow for "very busy roads" to be crossed, she said, with first aid teams also on hand.

"And there's free beer at the lunch stop because historically it was an incentive for people to walk because they knew they were going to get free beer," Ms Lawler said.

"Richmond has huge heritage, the castle dating back to 1071, we have an old abbey, we have a historic cobbled market place," Ms Lawler added.

"Keeping the tradition alive is very important in this day and age."

At up to 18 points on the route, where the boundary meets a neighbouring parish or manor, a declaration was made by Town Crier Tracy Spencer.

She said: "I've been really looking forward to it. I have got all the town crier regalia on but it will be getting taken off a little bit further down because if not it will get too hot."

Her normal formal footwear and skirt had been replaced with hiking boots and trousers, she said.

"It's an honour to be part of it."

Town Crier Tracy Spencer made proclamations at more than a dozen points along the route

At two points, the boundary crosses the River Swale, meaning the mayor must enter the water, to officially declare the town secure.

"It was an experience to say the least, nice and fresh," said Carl Tate, who stood up to his ankles in the water with hundreds watching from the river bank.

"It's one of the biggest turn-outs I've seen in a long time," he said.

"It just shows that people love getting out in the countryside and walking around.

"You get to see a lot of things that you don't normally see, because we're on private land here sometimes.

"Obviously you don't normally get to see those views of Richmond because you're not allowed on."

Ceremonial axe

Other ancient traditions include the throwing of pennies at the site of the first proclamation, with stones also thrown into private properties at points when the boundary crosses a garden, with permission from the homeowner.

The procession is led by the Pinder, a role which has existed since the start.

"My role is just to make sure everything is clear. Helping to clear pathways, checking it is a safe route for people to walk," said Jeff Edmondson, the current Pinder.

He has walked the route at least four times before, he said, and was completing his second walk as Pinder.

"The Pinder is the one who knows the way."

Jeff Edmondson holds the role of Pinder, leading the procession of walkers around the town boundary

Historically, the Pinder carried an axe, which Mr Edmondson, 78, said was to cut down any branches or vegetation blocking the way.

Now, clearing the route is carried out in advance, but an axe is still carried, ceremonially.

"We're a little bit more civilised," he said.

Amilee was walking the 14-mile route for the first time, while her aunt Anne had completed it twice before

A large number of children took part in the walk, with many having never walked as far in one day before.

Amilee, 11, said she was "just excited to see different things than I would normally, to get out to places".

She was walking with her aunt, Anne, 51.

"It's nice to go on places you wouldn't normally be allowed to go," she said.

"There are just so many people, it's an amazing day out."

Amanda Berry, 64, said she was walking the route in memory of her mother, who died earlier this year.

She said: "I'm noticing things I've never noticed before because normally you spend your life rushing everywhere."

Her mother had walked the route a number of times, most recently when she was in her late 60s, she added.

"What was so lovely on the way to the meeting point this morning is from every direction you were seeing people of all ages walking towards the market place."

Pat Blyth recently moved to Richmond from Canada, and was walking in memory of her father

Pat Blyth was walking in memory of her father and uncles, who "used to do this walk every seven years".

Her father was born in Richmond but emigrated to Canada, where she grew up, but she recently moved back to the town.

Ms Blyth, 68, said she had been looking forward to taking part for 25 to 30 years.

"It's just a good walk with friends," she said.

Listen to more stories from the Secret North Yorkshire series on BBC Radio York, and catch up with the latest episode of Look North.