HELSTON TRADITION CELEBRATED AT RNAS CULDROSE

An ancient ceremony is carried out every other year at Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose that brings together the local Cornish community and the Base more than any other event.

The tradition of ‘Beating the Bounds’ is celebrated in Helston each year. This is where the town’s Mayor accompanied by council officials and some children from the local schools, walk a circular route around the boundary stones for part of the Borough. 2015’s route took the Mayoral procession across RNAS Culdrose, which has several old granite markers inscribed with ‘HB’ (Helston Boundary).

The Mayor of Helston was on hand to explain why the ‘Beating of the Bounds’ is carried out, “It’s connected to rogation Sunday, where the hope is to bless all the crops and encourage better growth”, said Mayor Mike Thomas. “Helston's tradition is associated with showing youngsters where the boundaries of the town are. Legend has it that children would be taken to the boundary to show them how far safely they could go.”

Walking the marker stones around the Borough each year is important, so that the boundary of Helston is remembered. This proved to be very important before the introduction of maps.

Each school in the town can select up to ten children to be part of the annual walks and this year a ‘Helston old-boy’ had the honour of representing the Royal Navy at one of the boundary stones. Air Engineer Technician Jamie Stuart who is currently training at Culdrose attended Helston’s Parc Eglos School. “It was something really special for me, having grown up in the town. I'd never done it before; when I was at school a few of my class were selected. It just so happens also that the Mayor, Mr Thomas was my RE teacher!”

Leading the walkers Mayor Thomas first instructed one of his councillors to cut a turf to be placed on top of each stone, before some of the chosen children and adults were lifted over the markers. Each majestically headed the stones by the lifters to the cheers of the onlookers.

“This ceremony is part of Helston's ancient history. It’s remembering what Helston was and still is, and where the boundaries are,” said Mandy Eddy from Helston and District footpaths society. Her take on the tradition gives another explanation. “The symbolism of hitting little boys on the stone markers is to warn them off and stop being naughty, or they will stay on the borders!”

Mayor Thomas continued, “Whatever the true meaning of ‘Beating the Bounds’ is, events like this are very much about the relationship between Helston and Culdrose, who are so much part of our community.”