The ancient tradition of Rogation dating back to 470AD, is alive and well in Fradswell. For the seventh year running, St James the Less Church, supported by the village hall committee, organised a procession along stretches of the parish boundary amounting to 6½ miles. Small crosses, handmade and cut from hazel trees in the parish and engraved with the year were placed at strategic places of note; a short ceremony of blessings was conducted at each of the following places; the Village Hall Community Hub, a large arable field on the boundary, a boundary marker stone, a bridge spanning the boundary, some beautiful lakes and at the old country church, where special prayers were said to celebrate the Patronal Day of St James the Less. 40 people arrived at the village hall for the start, ranging from octogenarians to babies in pushchairs and all ages in between and 9 dogs also came along. After the initial ceremony at the village hall the procession moved off to the Rogation field, a large arable field on the boundary of Fradswell and Stowe by Chartley, where a local agricultural contractor set the cross. The procession then went off into the wilds of the parish and 11 hardy souls and 4 dogs completed the full walk of 6½ miles; refreshed along the way with Fradswell cider, which had been left out for them – very much in keeping with the ancient processions. It is very appropriate that the final cross was set at the church as it had done the whole route and witnessed the blessings bestowed on each cross as it was set in place. The walkers were treated to a tour of the bell tower and had opportunity to ring the bells themselves. The procession ended at the village hall with a final blessing and a 'toast' of Fradswell cider. Everyone then joined together for a picnic, again very much in the tradition of ancient processions. Long may the tradition of Rogation continue in Fradswell.