OKEHAMPTON residents observed an ancient tradition last week as the 2015 Okehampton Beating of the Bounds took place on August 19.

The beating of the bounds invites members of the community to walk the boundaries of the parish together.

Now seen as a way of strengthening community spirit, the ancient ritual was originally held to pass on knowledge of the parish boundary through generations, maintain the boundary lines and ensure no encroachment from neighbours.

The custom is carried out every five years. Groups set off from Meldon Village Hall to ‘beat’ 13 marker stones across eleven miles of moorland during the day.