HORBURY COMMON LANDS TRUST founded 1653
Horbury Common Lands Trust is a unique institution that came into being more than 350 years ago. It is believed to be one of the oldest surviving trusts in the country.
The history of the Trust starts towards the end of the 17th century in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
The river Calder forms the natural boundary between land belonging to Horbury and land belonging to Nether Shitlington, now known as Netherton. During the 1590’s, on an occasion when the river Calder was in full flood, the force was so great that part of the bank protecting the fields known as the Stayners or Stennards, was washed away. With the bank weakened, the river formed a new channel, which resulted in the river changing its course, the course that it maintains today. The township of Horbury found that about seven acres of its land was now on the Netherton side of the river. Certain inhabitants of Netherton did not waste much time in claiming that land for themselves and, as one can imagine, many disputes followed. These were finally settled when Horbury’s legal right to the land was re-established.
Around this time there was also a great deal of unrest over the way that the common land and wastes in Horbury were being managed. Sir Gervase Clifton, who was Lord of the Manor of Wakefield, sought to put an end to the disputes by founding the Horbury Common Lands Trust in 1653, when he appointed five trustees to manage certain common fields in Horbury.
The first Trust did not solve all the problems, however, and a new Trust Deed was made in 1683, which allowed for 13 trustees to be elected. The deed also stated how the income from the common land had to be managed. The Trust was to pay the Minister of the church £6.13s.0d in half-yearly portions at Christmas and midsummer. Any remaining profits had to be used to repair water banks, carry out repairs to the fabric of the church, bridges and highways of the town and for other necessary uses that the trustees should decide. It also stated that the lands were to be let by the Constable.
From its inception in the 17th century, the Trust contributed towards the management of the town. The Churchwardens, the Constable, the Overseers of the Poor and the Surveyor of Highways were given grants, which helped to keep rate assessments lower than they would otherwise have been. Some of the accounts of the various officers have survived and from these one can see the impact that the Trust had, and still has today, albeit to a lesser degree, on the Township of Horbury.
After the Horbury Local Board was formed in 1863, the Trust continued to contribute considerable amounts towards keeping the rates low, and this practice was maintained after the formation of Horbury Urban District Council in 1894 up until the reorganisation of local government in 1974.
Horbury Common Lands Trust still own and manage three common fields in the town, which include a field alongside Storrs Hill, the sewerage works at Horbury Junction and an allotment. Income from the latter, together with income from investments, is used to benefit the churches and chapels, various organisations and groups in the town as well as local schools and individuals. Christmas Grants are distributed annually to senior citizens who qualify.
In 1686 the income of the trust was £22. 4s 6d. In 2018 the Trust distributed £55,028 to qualifying causes. The trustees have a policy of re-investing some of the income to allow for inflation. See Grant Applications for eligibility.
For those researching Horbury’s History:
The HorburyCommon Lands Trust, the Constable, Surveyor of Highways, Overseers of the Poor and Churchwardens accounts dating from the 18th century survive. Various deeds, dating from the 16th century, other documentation and letters relating to various customs, organisations, people and events in Horbury, can be researched at West Yorkshire Archives, Wakefield. Ref C630.
By Christine M Cudworth, Trustee.
Horbury Common Lands Trust is a unique institution that came into being more than 350 years ago. It is believed to be one of the oldest surviving trusts in the country.
The history of the Trust starts towards the end of the 17th century in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
The river Calder forms the natural boundary between land belonging to Horbury and land belonging to Nether Shitlington, now known as Netherton. During the 1590’s, on an occasion when the river Calder was in full flood, the force was so great that part of the bank protecting the fields known as the Stayners or Stennards, was washed away. With the bank weakened, the river formed a new channel, which resulted in the river changing its course, the course that it maintains today. The township of Horbury found that about seven acres of its land was now on the Netherton side of the river. Certain inhabitants of Netherton did not waste much time in claiming that land for themselves and, as one can imagine, many disputes followed. These were finally settled when Horbury’s legal right to the land was re-established.
Around this time there was also a great deal of unrest over the way that the common land and wastes in Horbury were being managed. Sir Gervase Clifton, who was Lord of the Manor of Wakefield, sought to put an end to the disputes by founding the Horbury Common Lands Trust in 1653, when he appointed five trustees to manage certain common fields in Horbury.
The first Trust did not solve all the problems, however, and a new Trust Deed was made in 1683, which allowed for 13 trustees to be elected. The deed also stated how the income from the common land had to be managed. The Trust was to pay the Minister of the church £6.13s.0d in half-yearly portions at Christmas and midsummer. Any remaining profits had to be used to repair water banks, carry out repairs to the fabric of the church, bridges and highways of the town and for other necessary uses that the trustees should decide. It also stated that the lands were to be let by the Constable.
From its inception in the 17th century, the Trust contributed towards the management of the town. The Churchwardens, the Constable, the Overseers of the Poor and the Surveyor of Highways were given grants, which helped to keep rate assessments lower than they would otherwise have been. Some of the accounts of the various officers have survived and from these one can see the impact that the Trust had, and still has today, albeit to a lesser degree, on the Township of Horbury.
After the Horbury Local Board was formed in 1863, the Trust continued to contribute considerable amounts towards keeping the rates low, and this practice was maintained after the formation of Horbury Urban District Council in 1894 up until the reorganisation of local government in 1974.
Horbury Common Lands Trust still own and manage three common fields in the town, which include a field alongside Storrs Hill, the sewerage works at Horbury Junction and an allotment. Income from the latter, together with income from investments, is used to benefit the churches and chapels, various organisations and groups in the town as well as local schools and individuals. Christmas Grants are distributed annually to senior citizens who qualify.
In 1686 the income of the trust was £22. 4s 6d. In 2018 the Trust distributed £55,028 to qualifying causes. The trustees have a policy of re-investing some of the income to allow for inflation. See Grant Applications for eligibility.
For those researching Horbury’s History:
The HorburyCommon Lands Trust, the Constable, Surveyor of Highways, Overseers of the Poor and Churchwardens accounts dating from the 18th century survive. Various deeds, dating from the 16th century, other documentation and letters relating to various customs, organisations, people and events in Horbury, can be researched at West Yorkshire Archives, Wakefield. Ref C630.
By Christine M Cudworth, Trustee.