A pocket full of sugar lumps and long-flowing robes in tow, the Sheriff of Southampton sauntered into the city atop a trusty pony.

It was October 1, 1968, when Alderman H K Johnson resurrected the ancient tradition of beating the bounds—a feat accomplished while perched atop Anzac, a ten-year-old New Forest Pony.

"I couldn't pinpoint the last time a city Sheriff had ridden to Beat the Bounds, but I felt it was a tradition worth reviving to spark public interest in our local history," she remarked.

For the first time, the city's boundaries were marked across the water as the ceremonial party crossed the Itchen.

(Image: Echo)

The Beating the Bounds custom in Southampton was reinstated annually in 1957, following a century-long hiatus. 

Beating the bounds is an ancient tradition that originated in England and Wales, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. It was a way to reaffirm the boundaries of a parish, often tied to religious celebrations.

In a time before accurate maps, the physical boundaries of a parish were vital for determining property rights and responsibilities.

Beating the bounds was often associated with Rogation Days, a time for prayer and thanksgiving for the harvest. The procession around the parish's edges was seen as a way to invoke divine protection and blessing upon the land.

(Image: Echo)

The tradition also served as a social event, bringing the community together for a shared purpose.

Participants, often including the local clergy, would walk the parish boundaries, stopping at significant landmarks such as stones, trees, or gates.

At these points, the boundaries would be marked by beating them with sticks or canes, a symbolic act to reinforce their location.

Prayers and hymns would be recited or sung during the procession, seeking divine protection and blessings for the parish.

These pictures were taken at the 1968 event in Southampton.