Y o r k e 's    F o l l y

T h e  T w o  S t o o p s

Photograph Submitted by and Copyright of Matt Waine

Standing high on the crest of hill on the moors and overlooking Nidderdale, a Mr. John Yorke of Bewerley built these tall piers of stone, "the stoops" to give some paid work to the unemployed during a time of great financial depression.

They were built sometime around the early 1800's. Originally there were 3 of these pillars but the third, and the largest, collapsed in a furious gale during the night of November 17th 1893. Now beautifully ruined, one may wonder if these pillars were in fact at one time connected by an arched top, as eye catcher arches were very popular designs for the folly builders at the time.

John Yorke paid his workers fourpence each per day and they were also given loaves of bread for their labours. He lived to the ripe old age of 80 so it is very doubtful to whether he was still alive to see his greatest pillar collapse.

Co-ords 415800,463600/ SE 158636  

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