HUNDREDS of Tiverton residents are expected to join walkers to celebrate the gift of water to the town as an age-old custom is enacted this weekend.

The ceremonial Perambulation of the Town Leat — known as Water-Bailing — takes place every seven years.

The event on Saturday commemorates the gift of a stream of water to the town by Countess Isabella of Devon around 750 years ago.

Old posters and photographs in the Tiverton Museum show that the proceedings have altered very little over the years. One poster from 28 years ago shows sports being held for children in a field at the finish of the walk, but otherwise the route remains unchanged.

Proceedings will get under way at 9am when the procession of walkers will leave the Town Hall to walk the six miles to the source of the stream at Norwood Common.

At the head of the procession will be the four 'pioneers' armed with pickaxes and sledgehammers to demolish any obstruction found in the stream. Immediately following the pioneers will be the Bailiff of the Hundred, a role taken up for the sixth time by former councillor and magistrate Brian Homer.

The Bailiff carries an ancient staff of office, but his work starts months earlier, writing to local landowners to get permission for the hordes to be able to cross their land as they follow the leat.

The other important role is that of the Withy-boys who whip the stream with sticks — or withy-wands — and are drawn from Blundell's School and Tiverton High School. And it is not unknown for one or two of the boys to receive a ducking before the long trail is completed.

The order of procession on the day sees the Withy-boys, followed by the police, the town beadle, the Mayor of Tiverton, his fellow councillors and the general public bringing up the rear.

The procession's first stop will be at Coggan's Well in Fore Street, the traditional centre of the town where the stream emerges from underneath the road. Placing his staff in the water, the Bailiff of the Hundred will claim the stream "for ever, for the sole use and benefit and as the right of the inhabitants of the town of Tiverton".

Further proclamations are made at Castle Street, Townsend, Brickhouse Hill, Chettiscombe, the waterworks at Allers and finally at Norwood Common, where a plaque marks the actual source.

Those wishing to take part are advised that the going can get fairly rough and sturdy footwear is recommend. There will be return transport to the town provided from Norwood Common. Refreshments will be available at Chettiscombe with proceeds to charity.