The Pinfold in Hemswell Village
A Short History of Pounds and Pinfolds
If you have ever walked along Brook Street in Hemswell Village and seen the small walled enclosure known locally as the 'Pinfold' or 'Penfold', you may have wondered what it is (or was) and why it is there. In fact Pinfolds, Pounds and Sheepfolds are historical features of England, many of which have disappeared from our rural landscape. So, it is credit to the residents of Hemswell that the village Pinfold still exists.
What was the purpose of a Pinfold? According to the Pounds and Pinfolds Register & Website, the general definition is:
"A Pound or Pinfold is a structure built to confine stray stock or any animal found grazing on land for which their owner did not have permission. Once confined, a Pinder, usually appointed by the Manor Court, was responsible for the care of the animals until the owner had paid the fine imposed by the court."
References to impounding animals are found in the 14th Century from the Manorial system of government for townships and smallholdings. Field strips were used for crops, and the open field system of farming, without hedges and fences, meant it became increasingly important to protect grass, crops and grazing rights from straying livestock - especially during times of drought or disease. The Manor Courts appointed local people to look after the Pounds and Pinfolds and keep them in good repair for holding stray animals - these people were known (amongst other things) as Constables, Moor Lookers, Pinfold Lookers or Pinders.
Typically located at the edge of a settlement or Manor boundary, on waste or common land, and close to a water source, Pounds and Pinfolds were built from different materials in various shapes and sizes depending upon the type of animals the Pinfold was meant to confine. The ground area inside the enclosure had to be large enough and the surrounding walls strong enough and high enough to cope with everything from cows and horses to sheep and geese. Being close to a water source was also essential because the impounded stock needed to be fed, watered and guarded until the owner of the stock, on payment of a fine, reclaimed them. Pounds and pinfolds were also built close to road junctions and often, the village smithy and stocks were nearby too!
Having a Pinfold in a village required some form of legal framework to oversee the holding of stray animals and to collect fines - typically done by the Manor Courts or the vestries. The fine would cover the cost of feeding and watering the animals and repairs due to damage of the enclosure or its gates. If the animal remained unclaimed or fines were not paid, it would be sold at a local market. If the Pinders were assaulted or owners attempted to take their animals back by force from the Pinfold, the Manor court could impose additional fines against the livestock owners.
The Enclosure Acts of the mid-18th Century changed the rural landscape in England with the newly planted hedgerows and fences between pasture and fields reducing the problem of straying animals and consequently the need for Pounds and Pinfolds. As they fell into decline, the stones were often removed for house building or road widening, and many became overgrown, neglected or lost and as settlements grew, a Pinfold that may once have been on the outskirts of a village or hamlet became a part of the built environment around it, which is why many of the Pounds and Pinfolds still identified today are now in the middle of housing estates or built-up areas.
Today, some Pounds and Pinfolds have been renovated or preserved, some are listed assets, while others showcase artworks or provide garden sanctuaries. The Pinfold in Hemswell is an important reminder of the village's rural heritage.
The Pinfold in Brook Street, Hemswell, Lincolnshire
Knowing that a Pinfold needed to be built close to a source of water, typically near a manor boundary or near the Manor House and often near a blacksmith, it is not surprising Brook Street would be the most likely place to find the Pinfold. John Norden's Survey of the Soke of Kirton Lindsey (1616) records a 'Pound Yard', and it is thought a Pinfold has stood approximately in its present position for 400 hundred years, especially since the brook, which now flows in underground pipes, would have flowed in an open ditch allowing the Pinder to easily collect water for the livestock in the Pinfold.
Archive records suggest that 'Pinders' appointed in Hemswell between 1808 and 1815 were financially supported by the parish, and were still being sworn in as late as 1826 [Constables' Accounts (1804-1828), Lincolnshire Archives: Hemswell PAR/13/1]. There is a record in Lincolnshire Archives dated 10th August 1818 from the parish Highways' Overseer to the Steward of the Court requesting a new pinder for Hemswell as the previous pinder was deceased and local inhabitants were taking advantage of the lack of supervision [Manor of Hemswell, letter requesting a pinder to be sworn in (1818), Lincolnshire Archives: 3-TDE/6/16].
The Pinfold may have remained neglected for some time, but in January 1974, a newspaper cutting records a meeting of the Parish Council, which states, "...it is hoped the planned restoration of the 'Penfold' will materialise in the months ahead". It clearly took more than a few months as in January 1977, the Parish Council discussed the 'Penfold' again, assuring members of the public the "...restoration would take place in time to place a seat and some trees there to commemorate the Silver Jubilee year".
Newspaper cuttings and photographs show work starting on the Pinfold in April 1977, thanks to the late Mrs Steadman's dedication to creating the Hemswell Village 'Memory Books'. The restored Pinfold measures approximately 9m x 6.5m and is enclosed on three sides with stonewalling. Steps lead to a central path, gravelled on either side, and a bench is placed at the far end.
In May 1977, a planting ceremony took place in the Pinfold, with members from the Women's Institute and local residents performing the honours. It is believed a 'time capsule' may also have been planted somewhere within the Pinfold—if anyone knows of its location, the Parish Council would be delighted to hear from them. 
A photograph taken in 2012 shows the Pinfold neat and tidy but without plants or trees, suggesting overgrowth and some of the trees planted in 1977 had been removed. [See the book by A. Miller: Lincolnshire Pindfolds Pounds and Pinders, pg. 90]. Since then, the Pinfold became overgrown due to self-seeded plants and weeds, despite efforts from local residents to manage it.
In October 2023, the Parish Council was fortunate to receive assistance from the LCC Highway Services Social Value Volunteering Days and residents. The overgrown Pinfold was cleared and laid with gravel to help suppress the weeds and restore it to a tidy state.
The Parish Council has earmarked funds to maintain the Pinfold's appearance, improve accessibility, and provide additional seating. It also plans to register the Pinfold with the Pounds and Pinders Register and Website.
In February 2025, a Hemswell resident approached the Parish Council with a request to commission a bespoke sign to mark the significance of the Pinfold in Brook Street, Hemswell. The Parish Council are very grateful for this generous donation, and the sign now adorns the Pinfold, explaining its former use and serving as an important reminder of our rural heritage.
Resources and Further Reading
If you would like to know more about the history of Pounds and Pinders, you may be interested in:
The Pounds and Pinders Register and Website: http://poundsandpinfolds.co.uk.websitebuilder.prositehosting.co.uk/home
The book authored by Marjorie. A. Miller: Lincolnshire Pindfolds Pounds and Pinders including a gazetteer of Selected Pinfolds. Published by Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology (13 Jan. 2023). ISBN-13 : 978-0903582643. Available from Amazon.co.uk