AN ANCIENT ritual which recognises the importance of the boundary line has taken place on Portland.

The septennial Beating of the Bounds took place at a remote spot on Chesil Beach earlier this month.

It is a tradition believed to have been administered for more than 1,000 years.

The boundary of the Royal Manor of Portland is marked by a stone on the crest of the beach.

This year's event was attended by members of the Court Leet, representatives of the Crown Estate, the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, and the Mayor of Portland.

Prior to this, these guests were conveyed across the Fleet lagoon on fast river boats provided by the Army by courtesy of Major Martin Homer of the Wyke Regis Training Area.

It was one of Major Homer's last duties before retiring from the Army the following day.

This year's Beating of the Bounds ritual involved children from IPACA being ceremoniously - and painlessly - beaten with the Reeve Staff over the Bound Stone.

The students chosen this year were head girl Ellie Freeman and head boy Harry Alford.

This part of the ritual was administered by the Rector of Portland the Revd Tim Gomm and by the Reeve of the Manor Pamela Homer.

This ritual imprints on the younger generation the importance of knowing and respecting the island's boundary line with the rest of England.

Proceedings were organised and introduced by the Crown's local agent and bailiff, Philip George. The Ascension Day address and prayers were given by Revd Gomm.

Stuart Morris, a member of the Court Leet, was at the ritual.

He said: "The date was inscribed on the block by Danny Hilton of Albion Stone Restoration, who was himself head boy at the Royal Manor College, now IPACA, several years previously.

"The position of the stone was verified by surveyor Colin Graham, who, thanks to the gloriously fine weather was able to take bearings to the distant Hardy’s Monument, Pulpit Rock at Portland Bill, and the radar dome on top of Verne Hill.

"The check was even more necessary this time has the stone was damaged and moved in the great storm of February 2014."

The Bound Stone is some distance north-west of the Wyke Regis Training Area.

Chesil Beach south of the stone is owned by the Crown and is registered common land with rights administered by the Portland Court Leet. The public has right of access over it. The beach to the north-west is owned by the Ilchester Estates.