Beating The Bounds of The Tower of London For First Time In Three Years . For the first time in three years , the Rogation - tide ceremony of Beating the Bounds was carried out at the Tower of London . The Chief Warden led the procession out of the Tower precincts on a perambulation of the bounds of the Tower Liberties . Choirboy followed him , and after them the children who live in the tower carrying peeled willow wands and after them again the wardens of the Tower in their Tudor uniforms . There are 31 boundary marks of the Tower and each was thrashed by the boys with willow wands . The ceremony is performed every three years at the Tower . Photo shows : Issuing the willow wands to the boys at the Tower of London . 21 May 1936 *** Local Caption ***