THE MAYOR of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, will be walking the boundaries of Reading in a centuries-old tradition from Tuesday, August 30.
She will be “beating the bounds” in the first observation of the tradition for 100 years, raising money for this year’s Mayoral charities.
The feat will see a route designed by the mayor, with input from Alice Norman, Terry Dixon, and Caroline Gatrix, and based on the original map of the 1912 route.
It will follow public rights of way, and includes the swatting of local landmarks with branches, as is traditional, including the university campus, the home of Reading FC, Clayfield Copse, and the Thames Path.
Residents are invited to take part in the walk to help raise funds for the mayor’s chosen charities, and copies of the map of the route are available to buy in Reading Town Hall and Museum and The Hexagon.
Copies are also available in Central, Tilehurst, Battle, Caversham, Palmer Park, Whitley, and Southcote Libraries.
Cllr Eden said: “I’m very excited about this ’Beating of the Bounds’ walk around Reading and raising money for charity.
“The route we have mapped should give people an opportunity for a lovely couple of days out. None of us know every corner of Reading, so it’s likely that there will be parts of this route you’ve not visited before.
“The walk will be the first time a Mayoral party has beat the bounds since 1912, which means it’s never been done on the current boundaries.
“I hope many other people will give it a go– it should be a great way to get your steps up, improve your fitness and have fun with family or friends at the same time as learning more about Reading and its history.”
To sponsor the Mayor’s team, please visit www.reading.gov.uk.
All funds raised are being donated to the Mayor’s charities, which are Parenting Special Children, The Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality and Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.
