IT was a low-key affair for this year's Beating of the Bounds in Haverfordwest.

The town council were told not to advertise the event so that people would not be encouraged to gather, however the age old ceremony was held in what Mayor Buckfield described as a vital part of the history of the town.

Many obstacles had to be overcome including vigorous Covid testing to make sure it was safe for people to be there.

Western Telegraph: The Beating of the Bounds is a tradition done to help remember the town's boundariesThe Beating of the Bounds is a tradition done to help remember the town's boundaries

Beating the Bounds is an ancient custom which traditionally involved swatting local landmarks with branches to maintain a shared mental map of parish boundaries.

Western Telegraph: Haverfordwest's 2021 'beating of the bounds'Haverfordwest's 2021 'beating of the bounds'

Mayor Alan Buckfield and Sheriff Richard Blacklaw-Jones described the event as one of the most popular in the town, but this year, due to Covid, no public could attend.

Western Telegraph: The Mayor recieves brawn and the Sheriff apples as the ceremony is completedThe Mayor recieves brawn and the Sheriff apples as the ceremony is completed

The 'white rock' is the limit of the authority as Admiral of the port of Haverfordwest, on the way to Milford Haven.

Western Telegraph: The Sheriff and the Mayor used to be two very powerful offices in HaverfordwestThe Sheriff and the Mayor used to be two very powerful offices in Haverfordwest

Western Telegraph: The Mayor on the boat, away to check his mark signifying the boundary line of the port of HaverfordwestThe Mayor on the boat, away to check his mark signifying the boundary line of the port of Haverfordwest

Haverfordwest was once a thriving port town in the Middle Ages.

Western Telegraph: Only one boat could sadly be at this year's ceremonyOnly one boat could sadly be at this year's ceremony

Mayor Buckfield described how traditions like this are done to 'keep things alive and make people realise'.