Walking the Parish Boundary

An article which appeared in the newspaper.

Wivenhoe- On Friday morning the parish officers, together with Mr J H Church, vestry clerk and a number of the inhabitants, met in the vestry at 9 o’clock in the morning, for the purpose of perambulating the bounds of the parish, according to ancient custom. It is usual in the metropolitan and other parishes to perform this ceremony on Holy Thursday but it was fixed for another day to suit the convenience of the worthy rector, the Rev E T Waters and a dinner had been resolved upon to which he had been invited. He was however unfortunately unable to attend, owing to serious illness in his family, who were in London.

The circuit commenced at Wivenhoe Ballast Quay Dock, along the quay, through Mr Harvey’s Shipyard, along the banks of the Colne, across the river just beyond Glebe Simee, to a spot beyond Ashfords Lane, taking in a considerable portion of the marshes abutting upon Old Heath, then across the river again and along it’s banks nearly to New Quay, then across the park of J G Rebow esq., through the kitchen garden , past the lake into the Wivenhoe Road, then across the Elmstead Road, up a lane in the direction of Ardleigh, back again across the Wivenhoe Road, past Mr Carvers farm to the estate of the late William Brummell esq., through the meadow of J G Chamberlain esq , to the starting point comprehending a distance of about 10 miles which was completed at 1pm.

The company then sat down to an excellent dinner provided by Mr Durrell at the Rose and Crown Inn. H J Corsellis esq in the chair supported by J G Chamberlain esq. Churchwarden, J H Church esq, vestry clerk, Mr W Brown, assessor, who was vice-chairman: Mr Henry Ashford, Mr John Wright, guardian and Messrs John Smith, Isaac Blyth jnr, overseer; H J Firmin and other parishioners. After the fatigues of the day the plentiful repast was most agreeable, and a very pleasant evening was spent.