Pastures of Beverley.
There are four pastures in Beverley. The Pastures were
given to the people of Beverley to use and enjoy but
they also attract tourists. Pasture Masters manage
this common land so that they all keep their present
state, this is important because farmers need grazing
for their animals and for them to be kept in good
condition. The beauty of the pastures also attract
tourists. The four Pastures are Westwood (I haven't
put The Westwood because its actual name is
Westwood), Figham, Hurn (you may not know this
one but it is in the middle of the race course) and
Swinemoor.
What is a Pasture Master?
Pasture Masters are caretakers of the four pastures.
They employ neatherds (neatherds are people who are
skilled in looking after farm animals) to tend the
animals, cut the thistles, mend fences etc. The
pictures below are scenes of the four pastures.
How to become a Pasture Master.
First you must be a Freeman of Beverley but to qualify
to be a freeman you must be a son or daughter of a
freeman. The law was changed in 2010 so that women
could become a freeman. On the first of March each
year an election is held to vote in 12 Pasture Masters.
Candidates must be Freemen and Pasture Masters can
only be elected by Freemen. The election closes when
20 minutes has elapsed from the last vote.
My family’s history.
My Grandad, Christopher Thompson, was a Pasture
Master for 60 years. He was The Chairman for 40 years
and had never missed a meeting in all those 60 years.
The position of Pasture Master is voluntary and
unpaid.
Being a Freeman of Beverley came into our family in
1882 when Christopher Thompson (my Great great
Grandad) was sworn in as a Freeman on 23rd February
1882 after serving 7 years of apprenticeship to John
Robinson (Freeman of Beverley.)
My freedom family tree.
Christopher Thompson (My Great-Great Grandad)
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Douglas Thompson (My Great Grandad)
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Christopher Thompson (My Grandad)
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Christine Gibbon (My Mum)
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Tom Gibbon (This is where I will be when I am 21)
My Great-great-great-great-great-great uncle, Robert
Mercer became a freeman on the 5th of February 1830.
Thanks for watching!