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Helston's 'Beating of the Bounds' tradition baffles stars on popular BBC show
Helston's unique 'Beating of the Bounds' tradition received national attention this week after being featured on the extended edition of a popular TV show.
During an episode of Have I Got a Bit More News for You, the extended version of Have I Got News for You, a photograph of a sod of turf was shown on screen, with host Richard Ayoade asking team members what it was.
The panels were asked what the picture represented (Image: BBC iPlayer) Ian Hislop replied straight away: 'It's grass. If you put it on your head and someone hits you, it softens the blow.'
Presenter Richard Ayoade quipped back: 'You speak from experience.'
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When Richard explained that the sod of turf represented a tradition in the historic Cornish town of Helston, Ian highlighted Helston's biggest tradition, Flora Day. He said: 'Oh, where they have the dance! Has anyone else been to see it?' Sadly, no one replied, but Ian added: 'You have had sad lives.'
Richard then questioned Ian, asking if it was just him dancing in a field, much to the amusement of the audience.
A passage from a recent Beating of the Bounds article was read out (Image: BBC iPlayer) He then read a passage from one of the Falmouth Packet's recently published articles about the Beating of the Bounds tradition.
Helston's Beating of the Bounds receives lifeline from local church
A photograph from this year's event was displayed, capturing one of the event's key organisers, John Boase, lifting a participant over a boundary marker topped with a sod of turf.
An image of John Boase lifting a member of the public was shown on the screen (Image: BBC iPlayer) The feature was a welcome sight for Helston residents and fans of the tradition, which successfully returned last month under new management.
St Michael's Church now runs the event after its future was in doubt following safety concerns raised by the Town Council.
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John Boase, who serves as both a Helston Town Councillor and a St Michael's Church Warden, was instrumental in ensuring the tradition's continuation and was delighted by the promising turnout.
This Have I Got a Bit More News For You episode can be found on BBC iPlayer, series 69 episode ten.
