What a fantastic day celebrating the 1346 charter of the ancient borough of Llantrisant’s Beating of the Boundaries Ceremony.
Beating the Bounds is one of the great traditions of Llantrisant. It commences with a service at the Parish Church before the Llantrisant Town Trust lead a parade, including a marching band, along Swan Street for the start of the walk. The fabulously refurbished Llantrisant Guildhall, is well worth the visit alone. It houses the original 1633 mace. Older than the House of Commons’ mace, I doubt if any local councillor will swing it around in the manner of Michael Heseltine.
To organise such an historic event must be a strain, causing many sleepless nights. Heightening the pressure is the knowledge that incredibly, over ten thousand visitors are welcomed to the old town, to revel in the sense of tradition and the wonderful atmosphere such events bring.
Among the visitors were a delegation from Crécy, France, Itself a historic town in its own right. At the Battle of Crécy in 1345, the ‘Black Prince’ took the blind King John of Bohemia’s emblem of three feathers and motto ‘Ich Dien’ as his own. Croeso I Gymru - Bienvenue au pays de Galles.
Meeting the wonderful people of Llantrisant who hosted this fabulous event was another highlight. They all surpassed themselves.
The event takes place every seven years and I am so pleased it fell on my year of office. I am incredibly lucky.
The boundary amounts to a seven miles walk of the ancient borough of Llantrisant and has taken place for hundreds of years. With the passing of time, sections of the walk have changed. Today the route takes in a golf course, hospital and even the Royal Mint. Nevertheless, to be a part of the boundary beat felt like a walk in the steps of history.
Thanks also to Mayor of Rhonnda Cynon Taf Dan Owen-Jones, and Superintendent Steve Jones for their company throughout the day, and the South Wales Police Band for looking and sounding immaculate while marching in perfect step and officers of the South Wales Constabulary who policed the event.
Thank you, Llantrisant, once again for a wonderful day.
Diolch unwaith eto i bobl Llantrisant am ddiwrnod arbennig, hanesyddol, difyr.