At the tender age of just three weeks, little Jack William Goodlad was the star of the show when around 100 people joined the Mayor of St Albans to perform the ancient ceremony of Beat the Bounds.

Herts Advertiser: Mayor and grandson on Beat the BoundsMayor and grandson on Beat the Bounds (Image: Archant)

For Jack is the first grandchild for Mayor, Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, and his wife Maureen, and the baby became the youngest citizen of St Albans to be ‘bumped’ - gently raised in the air in the tradition of the peasantry.

Beat the Bounds involves a 4.5 mile walk along the city’s boundary to assert the historic rights of citizens.

The event dates back almost 700 years to 1327 when the townspeople rebelled against the authority of the established church.

The Mayor said: “I was delighted with the turn out for this historic ceremony – and particularly pleased to see my baby grandson.

Herts Advertiser: Mayor and grandson on Beat the BoundsMayor and grandson on Beat the Bounds (Image: Archant)

“The occasion is a celebration of the heritage of this great city and I am very proud that Jack is now part of that. Watching him being given the bumps is one of the highlights of my year as Mayor.”