DERBYSHIRE HERITAGE

HOPE PINFOLD

Situated by the bridge over the Peakshole Water, beside the Pindale road, at SK 172833. It has a diameter of about 15ft and limestone walls about 6ft in height with a bolted wooden door, and is still used on occasions. As recently as 1967 a total of 300 sheep over the year were impounded in the Hope pinfold, charge for their recovery being 2s 6d (12½p) a head in summer, and is 6d (7½p) in winter (the charge higher in summer because of the greater potential damage to growing grass and crops) in addition to 2d (1p) per animal for the pinner. Expenses of transport-or in modern times of telephoning-involved in informing the owner can also be claimed by the pinner at Hope who is obliged to convey the information personally, and not by letter, as a guarantee that word is received. The owner risks a fine of £500 if he illegally breaks into the pinfold to retrieve his stock.