Today, 26 May, is Ascension Day, which marks the end of the season of Easter.

Univ’s day started a little after 8am with members of the Chapel Choir singing in Main Quad. You can listen to the recording below (with apologies for a slightly windy Quad).

Later parishioners of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin and children from New College School visited College for the traditional “Beating of the Bounds”. This is an ancient tradition that sees members of the community walking the parish boundary to remind all of where these lay and to pray for blessings.

Further to tradition, the Master, Valerie Amos, distributed coins and sweets to the gathered children from an upper window of the Quad. Although accounts vary, it is suggested that originally the distributed coins would have been red hot; more a warning of the perils of avarice than an act of charity.

Our thanks to all who made this such a special morning, in particular as this is our first opportunity since 2019 to mark this event in person.

We hope you enjoy both the audio and image gallery below.

Published: 26 May 2022

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