Bless
the land
In
this part of the country we’re probably more aware than some of the
turning of the seasons: spring and autumn, seedtime and harvest,
especially. They are times of the year to celebrate!
Most
people will know about Harvest Festivals, not so many will have heard
of Rogation-tide. Harvest is the autumn festival, giving thanks for
the crops being safely gathered in. Rogation comes in the
spring-time, praying for the land, for the growing crops, for the
people who work on the land.
It’s
an ancient festival, often connected with the ‘Beating of the
Bounds’ – a walk in procession round the parish boundary. In the
days when maps and books were not readily available, it was a way of
making sure that boundary markers were in place and the coming
generation knew where to find them. I think the children beat the
boundary markers with willow wands … to help them pay attention!
It
seems that Rogation processions in the 1200’s through to the 1600’s
were great community events. Great processions with parishioners
carrying banners and torches, followed by choir and clergy – and a
certain amount of ‘drunken revelry’ as they walked. Then it seems
that such occasions were banned by the Puritans – not enough piety
and far too much fun!
A
couple of years ago we revived Rogation-tide in the parishes of
Branston, Nocton and Potterhanworth – with a service for the
blessing of the land. Too far to walk round all three parishes – so
we drive between them. (We save our legs for a pilgrimage walk on
Holy Saturday, walking the ten miles from Bardney along the Witham
and up Steep Hill to the cathedral.)
Rogation Sunday for us this
year will be on May 12th.
We’ll begin at Branston parish church at 10am with the first part
of the service, then move on to Branston Booths village hall, looking
out over the dark earth of the fen for the blessing of the land. In
our cars again to Nocton church and finally ending the service at
Potterhanworth church – then a glass of wine and a shared lunch.
You’re welcome to join in.
Rev’d
Lorna Brabin-Smith
Rector
of Branston with Nocton and Potterhanworth
