It was
around an earlier maypole that stood in the place of the existing one that
the scene between the "Broad Brims" and the merry-making villagers that
has already been mentioned took place nearly two centuries ago. The
present maypole was erected on May 29th 1882, replacing one which had come
into existence on the same day twenty years before. The recently restored
church of Sinnington stands slightly above the green, backed by the trees
on the rising ground to the north of the village. The new roof of red
tiles would almost lead one to imagine that the building was a modern one,
and one would scarcely imagine that it dates chiefly from the twelfth
century. A custom which is still remembered by some of the older villagers
was the roasting of a sheep by the small bridge on the green on November
23rd in Martinmas week. The children used to go round a few days before,
collecting money for the purchase of the sheep. Although these quaint
customs are no longer continued at Sinnington the green has retained its
picturesqueness, and towards evening, when the western sky is reflected in
the rippling waters of the Seven, the scene is a particularly pleasing
one.
Between Sinnington and Kirby Moorside about three miles to the west is the
site of the priory of Keldholm, but there are no walls standing at the
present time. Kirby Moorside is one of the largest villages in the
neighbourhood of Pickering. It has been thought that it may possibly have
been in Goldsmith's mind when he described the series of catastrophes that
befell the unfortunate household of the Vicar of Wakefield; but although I
have carefully read the story with a view to discovering any descriptions
that may suggest the village of Kirby Moorside, I can find very little in
support of the idea.
Pages:
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229