Welcome in 2010 with the
3rd Annual Beating the Bounds At Brookfield Farm
New Year's Day, 1:30 to 5:00 pm (This is an any weather event!)
Beating the Bounds is an ancient tradition heralding from a time before maps were drawn. It has taken place all over the Britain Isles for over 2000 years. The purpose was and still is to protect the line of the Parish Boundary. Residents would perambulate the route, carrying willow wands. At the edges of the parish they would beat the post stones (or the heads of the young boys!) with their wands to mark the boundary. This was serious business. It was the way the communities avoided land boundary disputes between Parishes. In England, the walk took place in the Spring…but we New Englanders are a tougher breed! SO we choose to do it in the Winter…as the new year appears…and we invite you to join us.
Beating the Bounds 2010 will be begin at the barn on Friday, January 1, at 1:30, as we gather together to walk the perimeter of Brookfield Farm for blessings, protection, and yes, Dan, MORE TOMATOES for 2010, as per your Harvest Dinner request. Last year's group of about 30 made its way around the corners with good wishes, a little music, and a lot of fun.
If there is snow on the ground, consider bringing x-country skis or snowshoes, as we will be walking through the woods and fields to reach all four of the corners. The walk takes about an hour. Adults, children on foot, children pulled on sleds (you’ll need muscles…it’s a long walk!), dogs, and musical instruments are all welcome!
If you would like to carry out the spirit of the walk, but find that the larger boundaries are more than you care to do, then consider only walking the boundaries of the field behind the barn or the Accessible Garden. You are welcome to walk the shorter bounds at anytime that afternoon, and we encourage you to form groups of walkers for these walks as well.
Think about a way to actually mark each corner: slapping the ground with a willow wand, a rousing cheer, a song, a
sprinkling of tobacco, whatever speaks to you. During the first Beating the Bounds, Erika Zekos brought a bag of birdseed to share and toss and that worked beautifully.
Elaine Kenseth, Brookfield’s next door neighbor to the East, will once again be opening her home for a community pot-luck meal from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. for all of the walkers and for any members who would like to celebrate the day, but choose not to walk. Elaine lives at 28 Hulst Road, just to the right of the farm. Please bring a hot dish (or bread or a dessert) to share and whatever you would like to drink. There will be hot mulled cider available. This might also be the time to bring any photos that you have taken of the farm and it's members over the year for all to enjoy.
Elaine suggests that you drop off your dish at her house before the walk begins.
PLEASE PARK AT THE FARM. If you have any questions, you may email me at rosieapearson@gmail.com
Rosie Pearson