38. The Pinfold & Stocks

While the open field system was still used, much trouble must have been caused by the straying of sheep and cattle. The story of how Hugh Blakey, eight times broke open the pinfold, to regain his cattle, which had been impounded has been told earlier. That was in the reign of Henry VIII and there is no further record of Pinfold affairs until the township accounts. During the latter part of the 18th century there are numerous entries relating to pinfold upkeep. Typical entries are: - "April 18th 1781 paid 10 loads of lime for Pinfold 7/6." In 1792 9d was paid for mending the Pinfold gate, and in the next year a new gate was bought for 8/6.

At first the Overseer looked after the Pinfold. We have record of him taking the Pinder Oath. He promised to do his duty faithfully. To impound all stray animals, and to make everyone pay his fine before releasing them. Later one man did the work for a wage.

In 1847 the amount paid for the release of impounded animals was: - horses 1/- each, cows 6d and pigs and sheep 3d each. In the same year there was a meeting "to appoint a place to waive Cattle from the Pinfold". Evidently cattle had been put into the pinfold by the Pinder and had not been claimed. A farmer was appointed to take all such animals, presumably the township would get the money for them.

The last record in the accounts regarding the pinfold is a meeting held a Mr James Berry's, Dog and Gun Inn on Friday 11th March 1864 at half past 7 o'clock for the purpose of appointing several township officials, amongst them, the Pinder. No pinder is appointed after this and it appears the pinfold fell into disuse. The pinfold itself existed up to thirty years ago.

The record of the stocks is similar. Hugh Blakey destroyed them in the time of Henry VIII. During the 18th century there are many items dealing with the repair of the stocks. The stocks have been reconstructed and set up in the park.