Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 6^th, 1932

Beating the Bounds

An Old Wath Custom

After 120 Years

Several years ago the Wath Urban Council revived an old custom of “beating the bounds,” or perambulating the district to view the state of the roads in its area and inspecting the Council’s works and undertakings, including the lighting arrangements of the district.  These have generally been the outcome of improvement or additions.

The last of such perambulations recorded in connection with the Township of Brampton Bierlow as follows: –

Whit Thursday, June 14^th, 1810. Perambulation of the Township of West Melton. Perambulated this day from Bull’s Head to Mr. Brookes’ pasture (old Moor).  One Road by estimation formerly inclosed with the adjoining Close in the occupation of Thomas Fowlstone from thence proceeded along the Nubbock to Goose Hole and surveyed a small part of inclosed land (about four perches) belonging Mr. Tuke.

Then proceed along the fencer at the bottom of Winterwell Field till it dips into the canal and from thence to a small part of inclosed land late Danton’s now Robert Mawson’s containing — and continued the route on the bottom of Winterwell field on the west side of the road.  Then on the Upper side of the road to Gateward Lane Ends to the end of Russell Lane and on the South of John Mawson’s House then on Mill Close fence and continued over the outbuilding of George Askey then perambulated the Wall on the South side of Robert Hyde premises to a building over the ridge of which, in late John Twitty’s Tanyard.

Proceeded to Cat Lane on the West side to Joseph Copley’s House the West wall of which stands on the Close fence called the Flatts in Brampton Bierlow from thence continued the perambulation on the West side of School Field to a Boundary Stone therein not far from Mr. Payne Gate, to Quarry Hill the Road belonging to Wath Township.

Then across the End of Dr. Kaye butts to Elder bush about twenty yards from the road then about forty yards from thence to the Road Green Lane Dyke proceeding along the West side to the bottom of the Labe and along the middle of Beck to Abdy Lane then on the East side to Bracken Stack Close coming out by a large thorn bush therein to the West side of – close to the Dane Bank to the Fox Cover on the South side – on the West side of Fox Cover to Hoober Close belonging to grange Farm South side then forwards to Southwell fourteen yards throughout from Fence belonging Poor Lane ad Hoober Field and so continuing along the bottom of Hoober Field.

Then on the East side Dane Bank to the Turnpike Road from Rotherham to Wentworth. Then on the North of the Turnpike towards Cortwood and leaves a few perches of ground on the North side of Road leading to the front of Samuel Sykes House and on the North of another House occupied by William Pouls and then over a building occupied by Widow Agar opposite the fence leading up North by the side of Samuel Sykes Close to the Top then turning to the left along the Fence to the new Road – then on Luke Spring bottom (I which a little boy then about eight years old was lost and cried aloud Mammy, Mammy there s a dog following me, his Mammy was at home three miles distant; he was terribly frightened his name is Janes Shackleton) to a Bank between Luke Spring and Barber Wood leading at North to South side of Street Farm.

Then on along continuing Street Farm Fence to a House at Lasser Green occupied by Lucy Clark and on her out Shot to the North side of Biram House – Then up the East side of the Road to Stump Cross the Road belonging to Wentworth – from Stump Cross down Lee Greene down to the West side of the building and on the bottom of Lee Wood on the Fence of the South side of Lee Farm on to Limit Farm continuing the Fence thereof to the West End of a Close called far Hartley’s.

Then to the Low Wood by a ditch and Bank leading to Ox Close Corner of Limit Farm and along the South – of the said Close then enter the ditch between Towing Spring and Low Wood and continuing to Elsecar.

And from thence continue on the Old Dyke to Bubbock Bridge and so proceeding until within eighty yards (being more or less) of Mill Dam Nook.

The said Old Dyke or water course extends itself through part of a Close belonging to and occupied by Robert Hyde three Roods of which Close or thereabouts lies in the Township of Brampton Bierlow and the said Water Course continues to a stone marked W. T. which stands at the outside of the Fence of said Close adjoining the Road.”

Then follow the expenses of the Perambulation as follows: – Richard Jackson and others at Hoober Ale 6d; gave a girl at Elsecar to carry the bottles to Coaly Lane 2d, Ann Milner for gingerbread 2s 6d, Forty-one men and boys, dinner £3 3s 0d, Ale and porter £1 15s 3d, Tobacco 1s 2d, Punch £1 10s 0d, spice cakes for boys etc £1 17s 6d, Corn for one horse 10d, Waiters 3s 0d, Total £8 18s 3d.  Signed Henry White Churchwarden; John Higson, Constable and Overseer of the Poor.

When the Local Board was formed in 1881 Wath took in a portion of Brampton Bierlow, including the West of Cat Lane, Cemetery Road etc extending to the right-hand side of Packman Road at West Melton and the road leading to Brampton Bull’s Head the new area being coloured pink and sealed with the local seal of the Local Government Board on that occasion, and produced to the new Board at its first meeting held on 10^th November 1881.