13/11/2020
This Grade 2 listed pinfold at the eastern end of Rufforth was beautifully restored by Rufforth builder, Colin Simpson, with the help of a National Lottery grant. The Parish Council was awarded a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the reconstruction of this historical building. It is part of Policy RwK03 in the Neighbourhood Plan and a Community Action.
This small circular enclosure was where stray animals were kept, before the introduction of barbed wire, until their owners claimed them. Rufforth’s pinfold is unusual in Yorkshire, being at the end of the village (as is Knapton’s), situated at the York end, just before Southfield Lane when traveling eastbound towards York.
In the south of England, these agricultural buildings are known as Pounds. Farmers paid a fine for loose animals to the Pinder, the man who lived behind the pinfold. Always very pretty in late Winter as it’s full of snowdrops and daffodils.