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The History of Kettlewell Village - Arthur Raistrick
Inclosures
Towards the end of the eighteenth century the management of the moors as well as the remaining part of the old open fields was proving difficult so the principal freeholders along with those of Conistone, promoted an Inclosure Act.
The preamble says
"Whereas the said Commons, Wastes and Stinted Pastures, are not in their present situation, capable of Improvement, the same being overstocked with Cattle for want of a regular Stint, and by Cattle trespassing thereon from other Townships adjoining.... and the Lands and Grounds of the said Proprietors in the said Open Fields lie dispersed and intermixed with each other, for which reason it would be greatly to the Advantage of the Parties concerned, if the said Commons and Moors were enclosed in Ring Fences or by Metes and Bounds, and reduced to a regular Stint and the said Stinted Pastures, Waste Grounds, and Open Fields, divided and inclosed."
The Act was obtained and the Award made in 1802, the Kettlewell grounds being Bowersty Leys, Gainst Banks, Flesh Leys, Wetlands, Highgate Leys, West Fields, Haw Fields, Hey Tongue and Scargills, and the pastures, Whernside Pasture, Top Mere, Kettlewell cam, Middlesmoor and Langliffe. This Act was the origin of much of the walling.
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