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Beating the Bounds is an ancient ritual still practised on the Lea Marsh in April or May (on Rogation Sunday, which is May 9 in 2010). The idea is supposedly to remind everyone where the streams and waterways that are parish boundaries are. The practice of head bashing the children is supposed to impress on them their location. Stripped willow sticks with ribbons are carried. The willows are cast into water at the end of the event. Large numbers of people have been known to attend these events, perhaps 100, and they tend to be jolly. (2007)
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