Maidenhead Boundary Walk 2020
Charities urged to take part in ‘Bubble’ Boundary Walk
Maidenhead Boundary Walk – one of the town’s most important charity fundraising events - will be going ahead in a new ‘Bubble’ format due to Covid-19 restrictions, organisers have announced.
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The Rotary-run sponsored walk usually sees hundreds of walkers tracing the boundary of the old Maidenhead Borough on a single Sunday in October. But this year, thanks to social distancing rules, things will be a bit different. Instead participants can walk any time during a three-week period from Sunday, October 4 to Sunday, October 25, either on their own or in ‘bubbles’ such as families or charity groups.
They can do all or just part of the 12-mile route, which is already clearly signposted, starting and finishing at any point along the way. And instead of the traditional method of signing in at marshalled checkpoints to get their completion certificates, walkers will be asked to fill out a post-walk form and take photos at key locations along the way. Everyone taking part is urged to raise sponsorship, and organisers say the Bubble Boundary Walk is the perfect opportunity for charities to replace vital funding lost due to Covid-19. |
Walkers can raise money for charity by completing the Boundary Walk in their own ‘bubble’ such as a family.
(Photo: Maria Scavetta)
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Organising committee chairman Jim Howles said: "We were determined to find a way for the Boundary Walk to go ahead despite Covid-19. The ‘Bubble’ format means charities and community groups will still be able to raise much-needed funds at a time when so many are in desperate straits because of the impact of the lockdown. The Bubble Boundary Walk is a ready-made sponsored event. Charities just need to mobilise their supporters to raise sponsorship money and walk the route – it’s that simple. It’s open to walkers of all ages and abilities and after months of lockdown it’s the chance to get out into the fresh air for a good cause."
There is a registration fee – £2.50 for adults, £1 for children and £15 for groups of 15 or more* – which covers admin costs including route maps and completion certificates. All sponsorship raised goes to the walker’s chosen charity.
The event, which is jointly organised by Maidenhead Rotary Club and Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club, is also supported by the Louis Baylis (Maidenhead Advertiser) Charitable Trust and the Shanly Foundation
*Given the announcement by the Government on 8th September 2020 - groups must split themselves into sub-bubbles of no more than 6 people.
Full details about the walk and how to register can be found at: www.boundarywalk.org
There is a registration fee – £2.50 for adults, £1 for children and £15 for groups of 15 or more* – which covers admin costs including route maps and completion certificates. All sponsorship raised goes to the walker’s chosen charity.
The event, which is jointly organised by Maidenhead Rotary Club and Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club, is also supported by the Louis Baylis (Maidenhead Advertiser) Charitable Trust and the Shanly Foundation
*Given the announcement by the Government on 8th September 2020 - groups must split themselves into sub-bubbles of no more than 6 people.
Full details about the walk and how to register can be found at: www.boundarywalk.org
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.
