Rivers and streams could not deter a bunch of committed walkers from following historic footsteps.

And those taking on the Emley Boundary Walk were determined to uphold a proud tradition which has been held every seven years since the 1830s.

The group of 120 intrepid walkers were piped off from Emley Cross by Emley Band as they set off to tackle the tough 14-mile route.

The long-held tradition sees walkers follow the village boundary, along streams and escarpments and even through the River Dearne for the hardier participants.

Boundary walks, or Beating the Bounds, were part of English village life from Saxon times, to pass information about the parish boundaries from one generation to the next.

They died out long ago in most parishes, but Emley’s was revived in 1863 and has usually been held every seven years since then.

The actual Boundary Walk uses private land and is only used once every seven years with the permission of the landowners. It must not therefore be used at any other time.

There were a dozen stalwarts in the so called “Water Party” while those who don’t want to get their feet (or anything else) wet, keep as near to the village boundary as possible.

An impressive 89 walkers did the full distance returning back to the village centre for a presentation at Emley Cross.

The Water Party received commemorative medals by Eileen Jackson, the treasurer, and medals were also presented to the youngest and oldest participants.

The youngest were siblings, Ryan Stead, seven, and his sister Katie, nine.

The oldest woman participant for the second time was Denise Battye, 81 while the oldest man was Michael Moorhouse, 79, who did the full walk unaided.

Stops were made for the traditional fare of apples, chocolate, water and ice cream at Bentley Grange Farm , The Junction Inn, Clayton West, Park Gate, Drinker Lane Pond, Thorncliffe WMC. and Crawshaw Lane.

The walk was kindly sponsored by Fiat and Nissan dealers, Pentagon of Huddersfield, who also provided back up transport vehicle.