10th November 2015
HISTORY was made when the ancient court of a manor mentioned in Domesday
records of 1086 appointed its first woman to the jury.
Chairman of Hutton le Hole Parish Council, Heather Pettiford, added another string to her bow when she joined the previously all-male province of the Manor of Spaunton Court Leet.
Prominent in the time of William the Conqueror, this is one of just a handful of manorial courts still operating in England. Its main function is to deal with matters relating to 7,000 acres of common land, covering five neighbouring parishes.
Lord of the Manor, George Winn-Darley, whose family acquired Spaunton in the North York Moors in 1780, said he was delighted by Mrs Pettiford’s appointment, particularly as it marked changing times.
He explained: “The Court Leet is served by two female bailiffs and as I have daughters, one day there will be a lady Lord of the Manor too.
“Our 12-strong jury members are selected because they live in properties with registered common rights and take an interest in community affairs. Several are also parish councillors and include the chairman of the North York Moors National Park Authority, Andrew Bailey.”
Moorland Association member, Mr Winn-Darley, who owns and maintains Spaunton Moor for grouse shooting, said interest in commons and uplands was growing, helped by the recently launched Uplands Alliance.
He added: “Working at all levels we are committed to caring for this rare and vulnerable land and Court Leet has a part to play.
“On a personal level, I was delighted by this year’s major study, Better Outcomes for Upland Commons, hailing the benefits of grouse moor management in Danby on the North York Moors.”
Mrs Pettiford said she was looking forward to taking part in such rare and historic jury service, adding it was a privilege to be involved in the Court Leet.
Picture shows George Winn-Darley and Heather Pettiford at Spaunton.
