MAIDENHEAD BOUNDARY WALK 2019
The Rotary Clubs of Maidenhead & Maidenhead Bridge hold an annual Boundary Walk - a picturesque 13-mile route around the boundary of old Maidenhead, normally on the first Sunday in October. It is based on the ancient custom of Beating the Bounds, a custom going back to mediaeval times when parishes reaffirmed their boundaries. Parishioners were required to process around the Parish Boundaries at Rogationtide, stopping to beat each boundary mark with sticks and praying for protection and blessings for the land.
Nowadays the Boundary Walk is a Rotary supported ready-made means of team-building and fundraising for local organisations and individuals. Many organisations such as local charities, clubs, churches, community groups or businesses take part.
This year Maidenhead MP Theresa May and her husband Phillip launched the annual event. The couple along with 491 other registered walkers set out on the 14 mile walk on the morning of Sunday 6th October. That morning the sun’s appearance was a very welcoming sight to the members of the Maidenhead Rotary clubs. As organisers of the event they were really concerned that the turn-out might have been drastically reduced due to the bad weather forecast. In the event they need not have worried, as the weather was set fair and the sun shone brightly after what was a very wet night.
The Mays led the walk as far as Maidenhead Bridge, accompanied by the Deputy Mayor Councillor Gary Muir, the Rotary District Governor Frank Quinn and his wife Ros, and Maidenhead Rotary’s Deputy President Mary Spinks. Mary Spinks then valiantly continued to complete the whole walk.
The walk allowed 58 charities to raise money for their various causes. It is expected that the total sponsorship raised for the various good causes will be more than the £21,904.75 raised on the day.
Nowadays the Boundary Walk is a Rotary supported ready-made means of team-building and fundraising for local organisations and individuals. Many organisations such as local charities, clubs, churches, community groups or businesses take part.
This year Maidenhead MP Theresa May and her husband Phillip launched the annual event. The couple along with 491 other registered walkers set out on the 14 mile walk on the morning of Sunday 6th October. That morning the sun’s appearance was a very welcoming sight to the members of the Maidenhead Rotary clubs. As organisers of the event they were really concerned that the turn-out might have been drastically reduced due to the bad weather forecast. In the event they need not have worried, as the weather was set fair and the sun shone brightly after what was a very wet night.
The Mays led the walk as far as Maidenhead Bridge, accompanied by the Deputy Mayor Councillor Gary Muir, the Rotary District Governor Frank Quinn and his wife Ros, and Maidenhead Rotary’s Deputy President Mary Spinks. Mary Spinks then valiantly continued to complete the whole walk.
The walk allowed 58 charities to raise money for their various causes. It is expected that the total sponsorship raised for the various good causes will be more than the £21,904.75 raised on the day.
Theresa May at the start of the Boundary Walk
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The team walking for Makindu Dental Project
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The following people won the Maidenhead Boundary Walk Treasure Trail prizes.
Winners and prizes were drawn at random from only the fully completed entries. Jo Hancock of Cookham Dean - meal voucher for Hinds Head Rachel Estes of Central Bedfordshire - £50.00 Shivani Kapur (see right) of Maidenhead - Sunday Lunch voucher at Emperor of India (Shivani was one of the 31 people who walked "In Memory of Ramesh Kapur” as she is Ramesh’s daughter-in-law.) |
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The biggest groups walking for their selected charities were:
Makindu Dental Project Team with 49 walkers 1st Maidenhead Sea Scouts with 34 walkers “In Memory of Ramesh Kapur" with 25 walkers Other notable walking groups were: 1st Cookham Guides Burchetts Green Cookham Dean School PTA H4D 4th Maidenhead Guides Wexham NNU Boyne Hill Babes Ivysgifts4ever Rotary Club of Wokingham |
There were also many individuals and small groups of family and friends, and the event received positive feedback from most of the walkers.
New for this year was a treasure hunt with 19 questions set around the whole of the route. The first three entrants chosen at random with accurate and fully completed answers are in line for prizes including a meal at the Hind’s Head Bray, Sunday lunch at the Emperor of India and a £50 cash prize.
Another new feature of the walk was the use of the causeway path across the newly created Battlemead Common to the Thames towpath. This revised route very nearly follows the original boundary line which affords some great views of Cliveden. Woolley Firs (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wild Life Trust) was also thanked by members of the Rotary Clubs as they provide revised facilities for Check Point 2.
The event is a joint venture between Maidenhead Rotary Club and Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club with assistance from Maidenhead Rotaract, Marlow Bridge Rotary Club, Maidenhead Sea Cadets and 18th Maidenhead Scouts, Maidenhead Civic Society and The Ramblers. Rotary members also registered their profound thanks to the Shanly Foundation and the Louis Baylis Charitable Trust for sponsoring the event.
New for this year was a treasure hunt with 19 questions set around the whole of the route. The first three entrants chosen at random with accurate and fully completed answers are in line for prizes including a meal at the Hind’s Head Bray, Sunday lunch at the Emperor of India and a £50 cash prize.
Another new feature of the walk was the use of the causeway path across the newly created Battlemead Common to the Thames towpath. This revised route very nearly follows the original boundary line which affords some great views of Cliveden. Woolley Firs (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wild Life Trust) was also thanked by members of the Rotary Clubs as they provide revised facilities for Check Point 2.
The event is a joint venture between Maidenhead Rotary Club and Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club with assistance from Maidenhead Rotaract, Marlow Bridge Rotary Club, Maidenhead Sea Cadets and 18th Maidenhead Scouts, Maidenhead Civic Society and The Ramblers. Rotary members also registered their profound thanks to the Shanly Foundation and the Louis Baylis Charitable Trust for sponsoring the event.
