450-year-old tradition of knocking heads on a stone to mark a town boundary is to be made ‘safer’ by a council – over health and safety fears.
The much-loved ‘Beating of the Boundaries’ ceremony in Helston in Cornwall dates back to Queen Elizabeth’s charter of 1585.
It involves marking the town’s boundaries with a sod of turf placed on a granite stone marker.
Traditionally, participants were lifted – laid horizontally – and had their heads gently struck against the stone three times.
But following a detailed debate, the local council unanimously voted to recommend that participants will now have the choice to kneel and touch their head on the stone, or to hit the stone with sticks.
In response to safety concerns Helston Town Council has put a motion forward to amend the historic ‘Beating the Boundaries’ tradition.
The decision was brought forward to councillors during the meeting when it was suggested an alternative a safer method for participants.
As well as this, participants will no longer be lifted at the Beating of the Boundaries by council staff with immediate effect.
In a post shared on a Facebook group, Helston Town Council has reassured members of the public that despite council workers no longer being able to lift children, children and adults are still able to be lifted by family members and friends,
“The proposal is categorically not about stopping people being lifted to tap their heads on the stones as part of this ancient tradition,” Helston Town Council stated.
“Our proposal is that Helston Town Council staff and workers will no longer offer to lift children and adults due to serious safety concerns raised by everyone.
“This proposal would not prevent parents lifting their children, or adults from lifting each other as part of the event.”
