This film is part of Free
Riding the Boundaries Morpeth. April 24th 1924
Morpeth locals brave the gloomy weather and get in the saddle for a traditional boundary ride.
Overview
It's a chilly day in the Northumberland town of Morpeth as locals start out on a traditional boundary ride. Such events, commonly known as riding or 'beating' the bounds, date back to the fifth century. They were originally processions around a parish in order to give thanks to God and ask for blessings. Later, they also became associated with inspecting the boundaries of a settlement to record new dwellings and ensure security.
With the advent of proper mapping and other modern developments the historic need for boundary rides dwindled, but they have been kept up as a tradition in some areas. Many of the locals who braved the weather to watch the ride seem almost more interested in the presence of the film camera - and it's likely they would have come to the cinema later to catch a glimpse of themselves on screen.
Related
County of Northumberland County of Northumberland
Amateur film 1963 19 mins Silent Location: Holy Island
The toe-dipping delights and tranquillity of the Northumbrian Riviera and beyond.
P.C.H.A. Children's Sanatorium Outing to Cresswell P.C.H.A. Children's Sanatorium Outing to Cresswell
1930 4 mins Silent Location: Stannington
Let’s go to the seaside! Children and nurses play and paddle on the beach at Cresswell.
Miss Davison's Funeral Miss Davison's Funeral
Non-Fiction 1913 2 mins Silent Location: Bloomsbury
The funeral procession of suffragette Emily Davison - fatally injured at the Epsom Derby - passes through London to her final resting place in Morpeth.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.