Ascension Day 2023

Ascension Day marks the end of the season of Easter and, as is traditional at Univ, the day began at 8.10am with members of the Chapel Choir singing in Main Quad.

Later parishioners of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin and local school children visited College for the traditional “Beating of the Bounds”, an ancient practice that sees members of the community walking the parish boundary to remind all of where these lay and to pray for blessings. Having suitably admonished the boundary stone next to the entrance to the Chapel in Main Quad the group moved through to the Master’s Garden where the our Chaplain, Andrew Gregory, distributed coins and sweets to the gathered children from an upper window of the Lodgings. 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.

Coins and sweets suitably consumed or collected the second and third boundary stone within the walls of Univ was also roundly beaten.

Our thanks to all who made this such a special morning.

We hope you enjoy the image gallery below.