The Boundary
Jack woke with a start “wahooooooooooooo!” he cried “It’s March 5th!”
Now, for a lot of people this day was just like any other day, but not for Jack. For Jack, March 5th was Dress up Day at school AND Beating the Bounds Day! It was the best day ever!
He sprang out of bed, threw on his favourite Spiderman Costume and raced downstairs. “Dad”he yelled, crumbs of toast flying from his mouth, “where are my trainers?” He would need comfortable shoes for dancing later, plus spiderman was too cool for school shoes. “Wherever you left them” Dad replied, smiling as Jack practised his web slinging. “Although I think another superhero’s put them in the shoe cupboard under the stairs”.
Off to school Jack ran, picking up Baby Shark and Steve from Minecraft on the way, aka his friends Harry and Jude. Everyone loved dress up day, there were bears, fancy sparkly dresses and cool printed tee shirts.
The day passed quickly with double Maths, English and drawing, pasta for lunch and a banana for the mid-afternoon snack. At 3.15, the bell rang. “To the Boundary” Jack cried!
Jack loved Beating the Bounds, it’s an ancient tradition that his dad, grandparents and even great grandparents did. With sticks you tap the edges of a place or green space to celebrate it and to keep it safe. People sing and cheer and dance, this was Jack's favourite part.
Out of the school gates they marched, along Luton Road, up Beacon Hill, through the Sloe Forest and back down to where Darland Banks meets Ash Tree Lane.
Taking a moment, Jack and his friends stopped. A crowd had gathered, children and adults, families all here to celebrate Luton. A horn blew and the crowd fell silent. Holding his Dad’s hand tightly, Jack closed his eyes and listened. He listened to the trees, to the birds singing and his heart beating in his chest. He thought of all the things he loved about Luton, the kindness of the people living there, the ordinary and the extraordinary stories in the streets.
The horn blew again and a cheer went up. “To Luton” the crowd cried and chaos ensued. “You stand here!” “Do you have my bells?” “That’s my hanky!” “Nice costume!” “Come and stand next to me.”
Before long, two lines of people formed and, turning, to face each other, they bowed deeply. A singer at the front cleared their throat.
Come hither come all as one,
Come hither dance under the sun,
Let us beat the bounds of these fine grounds
Let us all dance together as one.
No boundary will part us,
No road will divide,
Together we’re stronger
Let nobody hide
The birds fly above and the worms crawl below,
United together
In Luton we grow.
Come hither come all as one,
Come hither dance under the sun,
Let us beat the bounds of these fine grounds
Let us all dance together as one.
L is for Luton
Unique and so kind
The teamwork and talent is easy to find
Outstanding nice
Neighbours who help those in need
Luton’s terrific that is guaranteed.
Come hither come all as one,
Come hither dance under the sun,
Let us beat the bounds of these fine grounds
Let us all dance together as one.
As the song continued, new voices joined in until the whole crowd was singing praises of Luton. The dancers skipped and spun, waving hankies, ribbons, bells high into the air. Sticks tapped the ground whilst people cheered, their hearts filled with joy.
“I love doing this Dad” Jack panted, “everyone’s so happy.” “They are,” he replied, “because they have been reminded to look for the good in the world and the hope they have for Luton. Singing and dancing brings the best out in people”.
That night, as Jack laid in bed, his Dad’s words echoed around his room. “I am going to look for the good wherever I go”, he thought, “and sing and dance and celebrate Luton!” And with a smile on his face, he went to sleep.
If you were making a list of everything you love about Luton, what would be on it?
Hello Feathers, yes you’d be on my list! Before we move to the next story, stop, think and listen and when it is safe to do so, cross over the road. Head down the steps and take the path to your right.
