A medieval custom is under threat in Tiverton, with residents calling for immediate action to save it.
Known as the Perambulation of the Town Leat, or water-bailing, this tradition, which takes place once every seven years, commemorates and claims Isabella, Countess of Devon's gift of the town’s water supply in around 1262.
The event involves walking the length of the watercourse (the leat) to its source six miles away at Norwood Common. However, the future of this tradition is uncertain, as the leat has fallen into disrepair and neglect.
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The last perambulation occurred on September 9, 2017, when 450 people completed the trek. The next one is due in 2024, but there are concerns that it may not take place in its traditional form. The ancient route now involves negotiating walls and private gardens and using many paths that are not public rights of way, some of which must be cleared on each perambulation.
At Tiverton Town Council’s March meeting, resident Felicity Salter expressed her concerns: “I’m raising my concern that the seven-year perambulation of the town leat during September 2024 will not be carried out in full. That is, from Coggan’s Well in Fore Street to the source of the leat at Norwood Common. The suggestion is that it will commence at Chettiscombe with maybe a proclamation at Coggan’s Well."
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Ms Salter highlighted the event's importance, saying, “Families look forward to it; people come back to Tiverton to take part. It’s part of our civic history, and folk feel proud if not competitive in the number of perambulations they have completed in their lifetime.”
She also pointed out the potential loss of rights of way through people’s gardens and landowners' pathways if they are not used and the impact on the ability to complete a perambulation of the leat. She asked, “Is that something the present town council wants on their watch after 762 years?”
She suggested that the town council could apply for a civic grant to cover the costs associated with the perambulation, such as the onset of steps, gates, and set of portable toilets, tiny road closures, and coaches to bring people back to Tiverton. She also proposed approaching local joiners and trades to sponsor a set of steps and for other infrastructure required to make a full perambulation possible.
However, Ms Salter says things haven't moved forward. She said: “What a shame the council does not have the same passion and positivity about the perambulation as many of Tiverton’s inhabitants."
In response, Councillor Wally Burke, mayor of Tiverton, said: “I’m afraid that Bailiff is not here, and we cannot make a decision because the Bailiff is the master of the leat, so we cannot make any decisions.”
Councillor Neal Davey added: “I was surprised to see the proposed route of the perambulation. This historic town event has always started in the centre of town and followed the route of the leat as close as possible."
“What is proposed is not a perambulation of the leat, and we should have a proper perambulation to bring people into the centre of Tiverton.”