THE ancient practice of beating the bounds took place in Probus on Bank Holiday Monday, with a small group walking as close as legally possible around the parish boundary.

Led by Rev Paul Salaman - assistant curate in the benefice of Probus, Ladock, Grampound with Creed and St Erme - they prayed for the fruitfulness of the fields and blessed homes, schools, churches and businesses.

“Beating the bounds is done during the three days after Rogation Sunday, and would traditionally be carried out with a full robed procession,” said Rev Salaman. “We did things a little less formally with a home-made processional cross sticking out of the top of my rucksack. Some parts of the route were less navigable than others, which made me thankful I dressed down.”