The Sunderland tradition which involved town criers, children, shouting and the outdoors

A centuries old tradition gets our attention today and it’s one which was observed in Sunderland.

The Beating Of The Bounds was more than just a quirky ceremony when it was first carried out. It was a vital way of ensuring that an important part of life was passed down through the generations.

The tradition took place when a whole community walked the exact geographic borders of their parish or town and beat it with branches.

They did it so that everyone had a shared mental map of their territory so that boundaries could be maintained.

And while The Beating Of The Bounds is largely obsolete these days due to modern maps, many communities still continue the ceremonial practice, and it has certainly been a part of Sunderland life in more recent times.

Tunstall Hill is reported to be one area of the city where the tradition was upheld.

One of our photos shows the Beating of the Bounds being carried out in 1987. Members of the Wearside Field Club revived the ancient ceremony that year and here is Dennis Bulmer ringing out the beating of the bounds in Monkwearmouth.

A second shows that children were still maintaining the tradition on Wearside in 1996.

Another shows Ger Gustard with fellow residents of Dalton-le-Dale, Seaham, who were organising a Beating of the Bounds to mark the Olympic Games in 2012.

Historically, this tradition involved clergy and townsfolk walking parish perimeters, and using branches to beat markers.

Tell us about the traditions that you remember from Wearside’s past that we rarely see these days.

Tell us more by emailing [email protected]