Gildingwells
More about Gildingwells
The following extract from the Leeds Mercury details Gildingwells as it was in 1900.
Most interesting, if not also poetic, name, it is true; but otherwise singularly disappointing. One naturally looks for wells, where the water is of golden value: of such value, at any rate, if only folk would drink and bathe in it systematically, with the inspiration of faith.
In this neighbourhood we have Letwell in addition to the two wells mentioned; but, strange to say, nobody can inform you where any of the springs are. Except at Woodsetts, where the village spring is open and keeps three trough-basins continually overflowing, pumps seem to be the general rule; but, as I told at Woodsetts, "they used to wind up the water wi' a hannle at Gildingwells." This is a very straggling little Hamlet, the commonplace little farms being set alternately on one side of the road and then on the other. The natives stared inquiringly as though they had never seen a stranger before. I met several quaint old carlos who had nothing to say either for themselves or the place. Like the character in Ozell's Rabelais, I might say of any male at Gildingwells: "Nothing is to be got from him but monosyllables. By jingo! I believe he would make three bites of a cherry." In vain I sought to know the significance of a handsomely carved stone head over a farmhouse door. Some of the cottage doors have rough-hewn, ponderous jambs and lintels, yellow-washed. Blue slates are creeping in by degrees. The one large building seemed much out of place here. It was a solid brick barn and granary with stabling, at one end a huge square tower with clock window, boarded up with pigeon-holes, the roof of pantiles somewhat conical, surmounted by a huge gilt weathercock.
Still, Gildingwells does not look prosperous. Like the next village, Letwell, it was claimed by an ancient Lord of the North Nottinghamshire Manor of Hodsock as within his soke. It may be questioned whether Yorkshire took these two villages over or retained them by fair means. Nottinghamshire Lords and Bailiffs never pursue them now, though a plausible legal case might be trumped up on their behalf if necessary. Yorkshire is a big, greedy elephant that will not be made to disgorge anything by force.
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