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Work starts shortly on the renovation of the historic village ‘Pinfold’ (the semi-circular area at the junction of Northfield lane and York Road). Old plans of the Pinfold exist showing the original village horse trough and the first source of piped mains water for Riccall – until then most residents only had ground well water.
A Pinfold means a gated enclosure that is usually found in the built area of a village, into which stray animals were herded by the Parish Overseers or by a policeman, if one was employed in the village. From earliest times right up to the late 19th Century, livestock roamed the Common fields, herded, usually by a child, in a small area of land with no fencing. Milk cows moved to and from fields every day to village cottages or farms. Inevitably, other cattle and sheep occasionally escaped and were, if not claimed, fastened into the Pinfold. The animals could later be re-claimed by their owner by payment of a small fine or, if abandoned or unclaimed they were sold off. All proceeds went to the benefit of the Parish. Riccall Pinfold shows clearly on early maps as a round structure with a small gate and appeared to be built of brick. The Tithe records show it was there as far back as the 1600’s (It probably existed before this date but nowadays no detailed records exist to confirm this).
The newly formed Parish Council in the early 1900’s probably decided to demolish half of what they perceived as an obsolete structure, to allow the space for a water trough and tap when the first village piped fresh-water supply was provided. What appears in old photographs to be a tall wooden structure with levered handle acted as a sort of tap that when pulled would release water into containers carried away by villagers. Any spillage remained in the trough for animals, usually horses, to drink. The handle was set quite high to keep it out of the reach of children! Contrary to some beliefs, there was never a Well in the Pinfold with water pumped from underground.
And back to modern times…………..
Firstly, the footpath in front of the Pinfold is going to be relayed and extended to safely allow young children who pass the Pinfold daily to and from school, to avoid traffic coming out of Northfield lane. This work will be completed by North Yorkshire County Council.
Secondly, the semi-circular area of the Pinfold will be renovated. After advice, what is left of the original wall, now needs to be demolished and re-built using reclaimed bricks mixed with some of the original bricks. The wall will be capped off with natural stone coping following the curvature of the wall and matching the new natural stone paving.
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